Farms and ranches in British Columbia face a unique and escalating wildfire risk. From barns storing hay and fuel to pastures and livestock roaming near forest edges, the potential for damage is broad and multifaceted. At SPIEDR, we’ve worked with rural properties and fire professionals to apply proven wildland/structure-interface protection strategies, and we believe farms and ranches can benefit greatly by adopting the same mindset.
Why Farms and Ranches are at Special Risk of Wildfires
While any rural property is vulnerable, agricultural operations have some additional exposures: large quantities of combustible materials like hay, straw and fuel; dispersed structures (barns, equipment sheds, out-buildings); and sometimes livestock or equipment in remote pastures. In short: if you manage a farm or ranch in B.C., fire-protection needs to be part of your annual operations plan—not something you hope to address when a fire is upon you. Okanagan orchards face the same increased wildfire risks and challenges.
Start With a Custom Wildfire Plan
Before you pick up any tools or rearrange hedges, you need a plan. The key elements to include:
- Map your operation: mark structures, fuel storage, water sources, pastures and escape routes.
- Identify hazards: surrounding vegetation, slope, wind exposure, access routes, vulnerable materials.
- Establish roles: who on the property will act if a wildfire alert is issued, who moves livestock, who ensures water systems are working.
- Create triggers: define when you will activate protection systems, when you will evacuate, when you will suspend operations. Having this plan in place gives you clarity and enables faster, more confident action when time is limited.
Lead With Fuel-management and Defensible Zones
One of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk on a farm or ranch is to address the fuels both around buildings and in surrounding landscapes. Practical strategies include:
- Create a zone of reduced fuel around barns, equipment sheds, and other critical structures pay particular attention to the first 30 metres around each structure and especially the first 1.5 metres from the structure’s exterior.
- Reduce vegetation that allows fire to crown: thin shrubs and trees, remove dead branches and grass.
- Clear combustible debris, maintain clear access around structures, eliminate vegetation pockets adjacent to fuel tanks or hay-stacks.
- Where suitable, create fuel breaks between forested edges and open pasture, or maintain grazed/low-fuel zones near high-risk buildings.
These actions don’t guarantee you’ll never face fire, but they materially reduce the chance of ignition and improve your property’s defendability.
Use Engineered Wildfire Protection Systems to Enhance Your Defence
After fuel-management, it’s wise to layer in engineered systems, particularly for high-value assets or remote zones. On farms and ranches, this can include:
- Dedicated water supplies for protection: cisterns, ponds, hydrants, pump systems.
- Sprinkler systems, particularly around barns or structures storing hay or combustible materials.
- Ensure equipment (pumps, hoses, valves) is accessible, maintained and stored where it can be rapidly deployed.
- Develop clear activation procedures tied to specific triggers (high fire-danger rating, strong wind, dry fuel conditions).
Even sophisticated systems require ongoing maintenance and must be integrated into your wider operational plan.
Protect People, Livestock and Assets From Wildfires
Wildfire protection isn’t just about buildings, it’s about people and animals too. Farms and ranches must factor in:
- Evacuation plans for workers and family members: who moves animals, who locks gates, who liaises with fire services.
- Livestock plans: in high-risk conditions, you may need to move animals early or shelter them in cleared areas.
- Asset protection: tractors, trailers, feed stores, fuel tanks—all need to be located, maintained and cleared of nearby combustible materials.
- Staff training and drills. A system is only as good as the people who execute it.
Stay Alert and Maintain Readiness
Because wildfire conditions can escalate rapidly, ongoing monitoring and readiness are essential. Important practices include:
- Monitor local fire-danger ratings and alerts from regional authorities.
- On-site, assess how dry the fuels are, check equipment readiness, clear access routes, and monitor guest activities such as campfires, charcoal BBQs or smoking zones.
- Maintain your systems: valves, hoses, pumps, sprinklers all require seasonal checks.
- Update your plan annually or when you make changes (new buildings, changes in staff, modification of grazing zones). Readiness is a continuous process—not a one-time project.
Funding & Support – A Financial Boost
The good news: there is financial support available to help agricultural producers in British Columbia strengthen wildfire resilience. Many cost-share programs exist for wildfire preparedness measures. These programs reduce some of the financial burden and can help you justify upgrading systems or improving infrastructure.
Next Steps To Protect Your Property From Wildfires
Ready to jump in and get structure protection systems installed? Need wildfire fighting training for your staff? Or have no clue where to start at all, and need some wildfire preparation consulting?
Call 604-812-3473 or contact Spiedr today!
FAQ
Q: What is the first step a farm or ranch should take to protect against wildfire?
A: The first step is creating a custom wildfire plan: mapping your operation, identifying hazards, establishing roles and triggers. Without a plan, all other actions are less effective.
Q: How much clearance should be around barns or fuel-storage buildings?
A: A core guideline suggests clearing at least 30 metres around a structure, with particular focus on the first 1.5 metres from the exterior. The exact distance should be adjusted based on slope, vegetation density and local risk.
Q: Are there cost-share programs for wildfire protection on farms in B.C.?
A: Yes. There are programs offering cost-share for wildfire readiness projects for eligible agriculture operations in British Columbia.
Q: Should I move livestock early when fire danger is high?
A: Yes. Your plan should include triggers for livestock relocation or sheltering. Early action is far better than waiting until a fire front is too close.
Q: How often should I update my wildfire-protection plan?
A: At minimum annually, and whenever there are major changes—new buildings, changed operation zones, new staff, local environmental changes, or after a near-miss event.
