Where do I begin with fire preparation?
Start with your local risk. Your state forestry agency, local fire department and county extension office can tell you about fire danger in your area and any local programs. Ask whether your community has a wildfire protection plan.
Make a written plan covering evacuation routes, meeting places, animal movement, contacts and what you will take. Practice it with everyone in the household, including the animals' loading routine.
Keep your address visible from the road with large, reflective numbers so responders can find you quickly, and make sure driveways and gates are wide enough for fire apparatus. Share the plan with neighbors and agree on how you will check on one another, particularly anyone who may need help leaving.
- Ask the fire department about local risk
- Write the plan and practice it
- Know two routes out
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
What is defensible space?
Defensible space is the area around buildings managed to slow or stop fire. University extension services such as Arizona and Colorado State publish guidance on it. The details, including how wide each zone should be, depend on local conditions and rules, so ask your local fire authority.
The general idea is to keep the area closest to buildings clear of flammable material, thin vegetation farther out and break up continuous fuels, including shrubs and trees that could carry fire to the roof.
Defensible space takes time. Work on it in stages over a few weekends, starting nearest the buildings, and ask your fire department to look at your property if they offer visits.
- Start closest to buildings
- Thin and trim in stages
- Ask for local zone guidance
What should I do around buildings?
Remove leaves and needles from roofs and gutters, keep firewood and propane away from structures, and clear brush and dry grass near walls and outbuildings. Check vents and openings that could let embers in.
Ask your fire department about building materials and retrofits suited to your area. Structural work and electrical or gas changes should be done by licensed professionals.
Check outbuildings too, including barns and sheds, since fire can reach them as easily as the house and animals are often housed there.
- Clear roofs and gutters of debris
- Move firewood away from buildings
- Mow and thin dry vegetation near structures
- Store fuels and chemicals safely
How do I manage grass, hay and fuel on a farm?
Mow dry grass near buildings and along roads and driveways, and keep hay and bedding stored away from homes and in a way that lowers risk. Store fuel in approved containers away from buildings.
Be careful with equipment. Hot exhaust, sparks from blades and welding can ignite dry vegetation, so follow local fire restrictions and burn bans, and keep a charged extinguisher and water available when working.
Store hay and bedding in separate buildings away from the house where possible, and keep power lines and equipment areas clear of dry growth.
- Observe burn bans and restrictions
- Keep an extinguisher and water nearby
- Park equipment on bare ground
How do I plan for animals?
Decide early where animals would go and how they would get there. Keep trailers in working order and fueled vehicles accessible, and ask your county emergency management office about animal shelters and evacuation help.
Identify animals in lasting ways, keep records and photographs, and practice loading. Turning animals out as a last resort is risky, so ask local officials and your veterinarian for guidance in advance.
Keep a small kit by the animals' area with halters, ropes, a flashlight and a list of phone numbers and destinations.
- Keep trailers and vehicles ready
- Identify animals in lasting ways
- Know shelter locations
What do I do when fire is near?
Follow official evacuation orders without delay. Leave early if you can, take people and pets first and carry your emergency kit and documents. Do not wait to see whether the fire arrives.
Do not attempt to fight a wildfire yourself. Protect your life first and leave property protection to professionals.
Keep your phone charged, your vehicle fueled and your documents and medications in one grab-and-go place during fire season.
What happens after a fire?
Return only when officials say it is safe. Hazards include hot spots, unstable trees, damaged structures and ash. Ask your veterinarian about animals exposed to smoke, and your health office about cleanup precautions.
Document damage with photographs and contact your insurance agent, county emergency management office and the USDA Farm Service Agency about available help.
Take care when restarting any burned or damaged utilities, and have qualified professionals check wells, pumps, propane and electrical systems before use.
Key takeaways
- Learn your local fire risk from your fire department and forestry agency
- Reduce fuel around buildings using local defensible space guidance
- Manage grass, hay, fuel and equipment with fire in mind
- Plan animal evacuation and practice it
- Leave early when ordered and never fight wildfire yourself
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.