Get set for spring with these simple tips from Lac Ste. Anne County Fire Services.

By integrating some basic FireSmart principles into regular farming and ranching practices, you can reduce the potential threat of a wildfire to start, as well as limit the impact of a wildfire that threatens your property. Keep in mind: the lion's share of spring prep on the farm is managing vegetation.

DRY GRASS, GRAIN FIELDS, HAY FIELDS AND PASTURELAND

Give yourself, your neighbours, your livestock and the firefighters a chance against wildfire by reducing dry grass and stubble to prevent a fire from escaping from your property and prevent a wildfire from coming into your yard.

1. Cut the grass.
2. Grain fields near or next to buildings sites should be worked up.
3. If you have hay fields next to the yard, cut them as late in the season as possible to minimize re-growth.
4. Mow a strip next to a building site to act as a fireguard
5. Allow livestock to graze in the fields next to the yard.
6. Till the outside perimeter of pastureland to create a break.

FENCE LINES AND DITCHES

Unmanaged fence lines and ditches or roadsides usually have a large accumulation of grass, weeds, and brush all of which can act as a wick, carrying intense and rapidly spreading fires into your yard, fields, and building sites.

1. Manage the vegetation along fence lines and ditches.
2. Mow these areas at least once in the fall.
3. Herbicide or a weed eater can help to minimize vegetation underwires and between posts.
4. Check your corral lines are free from vegetation.

FEED STORAGE

Dry bales are a magnet for sparks and embers and are one of the first things to ignite as a wildfire approaches. No matter how you store bales, once they ignite, the fire spreads quickly and can be difficult to control or extinguish.

1. Fires can start in stored hay from radiant heat or spontaneous combustion. Ensure hay is cured to proper moisture content before storing.
2. Minimize spread of fire from straw and hay bales. Store them a good distance from any structure or other bales.
3. Store winter supply of bales in a couple of different locations to minimize losses in the event of a fire
4. Clean up all the old hay and straw.

GRANARIES, BARNS, OUTBUILDINGS, UNUSED LAND, OPEN AREAS AND DUGOUTS

You can apply vegetation management strategies to any structure to reduce the threat of wildfire. If you cannot easily get into these areas to mow the grass, livestock can make a good job of cleaning up for you. Don’t forget to manage vegetation in old corrals and unused corners of your yard. Keep areas around dugouts and other water sources free of vegetation. This not only reduces the spread of wildfire but it helps provide ready access for firefighters and their equipment.