Farm and Ranch Wildfire Awareness
When there is a fire…
• Priorities: 1) Life 2) Home 3) Livestock 4) Land
• What can you do?
o Call 911:
o be specific about which fire department you need
o Give directions and a good description (name of ranch, intersecting roads, etc.
o Make sure you give your name and phone number
• If you decide to fight the fire…….
o 1st priority is your life
o Begin at point of origin
o Be aware of possible wind change-back off and get out
o Park vehicles in the black
o Fight fire from the black
o Turn on your vehicle lights
o Get with the fire department and share information about the land-let us know if you are using equipment and where you are
o Stay in your vehicle and drive through the flames to get to the black
o Neighbors help neighbors
What we are going to do….
• We are volunteers so it will take some time to get there
• We also determine hazards
• We have the same priorities as you
• Communication (not always perfect)
• Sometimes we are in a no win situation
• We may have to cut fences and use road graders
Prevention before fires….
• Be your own fire department
• Life
o Your life and family is most important
o Have a plan to prevent fires, and a plan of where to go and what to do in case of fires
• Home
o Look around
o Trim trees
o Clear weeds
o Mow and graze grass short
o Cut fire guards
o Stack fire wood away from your house
o Create a man-made barrier
o Clean around burn barrel area and us a cover
o Put fireplace ashes in a covered container outside
o Be extremely careful when using a BBQ grill
o Check high line wires for frayed wires, leaning poles, crows nests….contact RCEC
o Check electric fences
o Check out-buildings for rat’s nests
o Be cautious when using welding/ cutting torches
o Keep vehicles and equipment in good repair
o Have a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and in your home
o Have a control burn when necessary contact the fire department to let them know and for input
• Livestock
o Have a plan for your livestock
o Designate pens/pastures
• Property
o Cut fire guards
o Control burns
o Be on the look-out when storms are coming
o Use your resources: cattle sprayer, portable pump and tank
Contact Numbers
Portales Fire Department: 575-356-4406
Elida Fire Department: 575-760-0601
Floyd Fire Department: 575-760-6967
Dora Fire Department: 575-477-2411
Roosevelt County Electric Coop: 575-356-4491
Re-printed from Farm and Ranch Wildfire Awareness Seminar that was conducted with the joint effort of the Elida and Floyd Fire Departments in 2017.
