Farm fire safety

Overview

CFA wants Victorian farming communities to be prepared for and safe from fire. We want to help you understand and manage the risk of fire on your farm, so you can keep you and your community safe.

 

You might be new to farming, or you might come from a long line of farmers. Protecting your assets means taking simple steps to ensure fires don't start on your farm, as well as making a plan in case you are impacted by fire making its way onto your property.

What you'll learn:

  • Your responsibilities as a landowner/manager.
  • Preparing for the fire season.
  • Looking after your animals on hot, windy days.
  • Preventing fires starting on your property.
  • Using machinery and equipment safely on your farm.
  • How to respond if a fire starts.
  • Types of fire fighting equipment you should have on your farm.
  • What you can and can't do with fire on your property at different times.

Farm fire safety

Explore the pages below to learn how to manage the risk of fire on your farm, to protect your community and your livelihood—your home, animals, crops and machinery.

1 to 12 of 12 results

Fire safety on the farm

  • 9 min read

As a farmer or land manager, you have a responsibility to prevent fires starting and spreading on your property. Find out how to strategically manage your fire risk and protect you and your neighbours' lives and assets.

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Click through to read Fire safety on the farm

Pre-fire season checklist

  • 4 min read

The essential steps farmers and land managers need to take before the fire season to protect your most valuable assets and your community.

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Click through to read Pre-fire season checklist

Horses and bushfire

  • 7 min read

This is a guide to helping your horses survive bushfire, including what to do before fire season, on hot, windy days and after a fire.

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Two horses at a fence 460
Click through to read Horses and bushfire

Livestock and bushfire

  • 5 min read

Cattle, sheep and other stock are your livelihood and need protection from bushfires. You need to make a plan for how to keep them safe on extreme and catastrophic fire days.

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herd of cattle sunset 460x500
Click through to read Livestock and bushfire

Fire breaks

  • 7 min read

Fire breaks are breaks in vegetation designed to slow the spread of fire. They can protect your most valuable assets. Commonly made by slashing, spraying, ploughing or burning vegetation.

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bare-earth-firebreak-460x500-web
Click through to read Fire breaks

Using machinery

  • 8 min read

Vehicles, tools and farm machinery can start fires which threaten lives and property. It is your responsibility to keep your equipment maintained and operate it safely.

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farmer-on-tractor-in-farm-yard-460x500px
Click through to read Using machinery

Electric fences and private powerlines

  • 3 min read

Landowners and farm managers have a legal responsibility to ensure electric fences and private powerlines are in good condition and clear of vegetation, to prevent fires starting.

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private powerline on farm 460x500
Click through to read Electric fences and private powerlines

Private fire fighting equipment

  • 5 min read

Farmers should have a range of private fire fighting equipment to put out fires which start on their property. Everyone on the farm also needs to be trained how to use it in case of an emergency.

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private fire trailer in stubble field 460x500
Click through to read Private fire fighting equipment

Property access for emergency services

  • 7 min read

If there's a fire on or near your property, it's important that CFA fire crews can get onto your property and turn around and pass each other safely. They also need access to your water supplies. Find out how to meet these requirements.

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fire-truck-entering-long-driveway-460x500px
Click through to read Property access for emergency services

Restrictions and permits for farming

  • 5 min read

Many farming activities produce heat or sparks which can start fires when conditions are dry. It's your responsibility to ensure you have a permit to do farm work or activity during the Fire Danger Period and on Total Fire Ban days.

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farmhouse on hill near bush 460x500px
Click through to read Restrictions and permits for farming