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Wildfires, fed by drought and high winds, have claimed thousands of acres
and many structures across Oklahoma and Texas. Below are tips to help
protect your family and property.
| Do now: |
- Write precise directions to your property and place them by the telephone.
- Designate a safe meeting place for your employees/family in case
of a fire.
- Be aware of which gates on your property are locked.
- Keep fence cutters in your vehicle so you can "make a gate"
to allow animals to escape.
- Move hay and firewood away from structures.
- Think about your clothing choices — cotton burns, but nylon
and other synthetics will melt to skin.
- Mow grass around structures.
- Store hay on bare ground or very short grass, and in small groups
no closer than 20 yards apart. This will both minimize economic losses
and allow emergency vehicles to maneuver.
- Make an emergency livestock plan for your that include a veterinarian's
telephone number, a feeding plan and a de-stocking plan.
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| If there is a fire: |
- Listen to firefighters' commands. If you are asked to leave the area,
please do.
- Don't try to fight the fire yourself.
- If a building is on fire don't go back in. Structures are replaceable,
but people aren't.
- Move horses out of the barn and close the doors. Horses perceive
the barn as a safe place even when it isn't.
- If caught in a fire in an open space, the safest place is usually
in an already burned area.
- Don't drive through smoke or fire — you don't know what is
on the other side.
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Wildland fires are very dangerous. Be prepared and remember that the safety
of humans must always come first.
David Annis
Suburban AG Specialist
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