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How to Prepare for Wildfires and Livestock Evacuations
August 12, 2025
Information provided by the Animal Health Emergency Management
With wildfires present in Ontario, and their ability to spread quickly across forests, grasslands and fields, livestock farmers near these natural spaces should be prepared for wildfires and know the steps to minimize risks and losses.
Preparation
There are several proactive measures that can be completed in advance to prepare producers for a wildfire emergency including:
- Having contact information for prearranged off-farm evacuation sites (lairage points) handy
- Reviewing wildfire history in area
- Identifying and maintaining equipment that may help fight an approaching grassfire or wildfire (e.g., disk, harrow, tractor, water truck)
- Reducing vegetation and wood debris within 10 to 30 meters of farm structures by thinning and pruning
- Creating firebreaks by clearing vegetation and exposing bare soil to help curb the movement of wildfire
- Mapping the location of fire extinguishers, these should be in all barns, shops, and structures that have the potential to catch fire. Fire extinguishers should be easy to find within the structures, and all staff and family members should know where they are located and how to use them
- Predetermining the location evacuation sites and routes that may be used for animal movement and have a map of the identified areas readily available for all staff, family and first responders
- Storing hay, straw, beddings/shaving outside the barn in a dry, covered area, if possible
- Having water and feed readily available or at the pre-arranged lairage site(s) to ensure that all affected livestock have sufficient feed and water
- Creating a detailed inventory of livestock and developing list of emergency contacts prior to any wildfire event
- If in a wildfire susceptible area, procuring and installing some type of irrigation/ sprinkler system to help suppress fire
- Preparing an evacuation kit that includes but is not limited to:
- Supply of feed, supplements, and water for 7 to 10 days
- Blankets, halters, leads, water buckets, feed buckets
- Copies of vaccination records, medical records, and proof of ownership
- Tools
- Cash and credit card
Response
In the lead up to and during a wildfire emergency, producers will try to protect their farms and prevent losses. As you respond to the threat of wildfire consider the following:
- Evacuating employees/visitors to an agreed safe meeting place as required
- Notifying the fire authority immediately
- Assessing the fire and only attempting to contain or extinguish a small fire if it can be done safely
Additional Resources
Government of Ontario: Forest Fires
Caring for Livestock During an Evacuation - Government of Manitoba
Farm Animals and Livestock Preparedness - Government of Alberta
Farmer Wellness Initiative
Wildfire Smoke Exposure & Cattle Health
Source: Canadian Cattle Association
Acute Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Cattle health and welfare can be negatively affected by the small particulate matter in wildfire smoke. Limited research is available but information can be gleaned from first-hand experience and extrapolated from other species.
Acute signs of smoke exposure include coughing, gagging, difficulty breathing, eye irritation and watering, nasal discharge, and increased breathing rate. Cattle should be monitored closely during times of smoke exposure. Monitoring for respiratory disease during this period is also important because the smoke may exacerbate illness or could mask early signs of infection.
Producers should:
- Increase monitoring of cattle for signs of illness or disease
- Ensure access to clean water and feed that is not contaminated by ash.
- Optimize nutrition including vitamin and mineral supplementation
- Monitor consumption when practical
- Avoid handling and transport during heavy smoke exposure
- Use low stress handling techniques
- Delay routine processing and vaccination if possible
- Follow federal guidelines and refer to provincial occupational health and safety for animal handlers working in smoke (Wildfire smoke and your health)
Chronic Wildlife Smoke Exposure
Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can result in stress and elevated inflammatory markers. The clinical significance of this is difficult to extrapolate to affected Canadian ranches as exposure is highly variable. Survey results from the US suggest there are fewer reports of respiratory consequences or death than in people, presumably due to fewer comorbidities in cattle. Reports of decreased gains in fed cattle and reproductive losses in breeding cattle exist.