Farm emergency plan: every hazard

Wildfire & smoke · Feux de forêt et fumée

Why it matters: Wildfires move fast with wind, and smoke can hurt people and animals far from the flames. When: Most active May to September, but grass fires start in early spring and fall too.

Before · Avant

Keep a mowed or worked fireguard around the yard, stacks and buildings; move hay and straw stacks away from buildings.
Clear dry grass, branches and debris near buildings, fuel tanks and machinery; keep the yard trimmed through the dry months.
Keep water tanks, a pump and hoses or a sprinkler ready to use; know where the nearest fill points are for fire crews.
Know at least two ways out of your area - one for people, one for trucks and trailers if possible.
Check fire bans and burning permits in your province before any burning, welding or grinding outside.
Plan for smoke: a portable air cleaner and spare filters for the house, and a place animals can rest out of the heat.

During · Pendant

Follow evacuation orders from local officials straight away - do not wait to see the flames.
Move animals early, while roads are open; trucks and trailers move slowly.
If you must leave animals behind, leave them in a large open area with water, away from trees and buildings - never locked in a barn.
Shut off propane and fuel at the tank if it is safe and you have time.
Watch the Air Quality Health Index; limit hard work for people and handling of animals in heavy smoke.

After · Après

Return only when officials say it is safe; watch for hot spots, burned power poles and weak ground.
Have a vet check animals for burns, eye injuries and breathing problems - some show up days later.
Check feed and water for ash and contamination before using it; throw out scorched or smoke-tainted feed.
Photograph damage and call your insurer and provincial crop insurance agency early.

Official advice: Wildfires - get prepared · Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (fire danger maps) · Wildfire smoke, air quality and health

15 steps

Spring flood · Crue printanière

Why it matters: Rivers, creeks and sloughs can rise quickly when snow melts on frozen ground or ice jams up. When: Snowmelt and ice-jam floods mostly March to June; heavy summer rain can flood fields too.

Official advice: Floods - get prepared · Flood risk

14 steps

Blizzard & extreme cold · Blizzard et froid extrême

Why it matters: Storms can last for days, close roads and knock out power while animals still need feed, water and shelter. When: November to March; calving season storms in late winter are the hardest on young stock.

How much more feed do cows need in the cold? Winter feeding calculator

Official advice: Winter storms - get prepared · Extreme cold

13 steps

Power outage · Panne de courant

Why it matters: Barns, waterers, milk cooling, grain dryers and aeration fans all stop when the power goes out. When: Any time of year - often during storms, ice, wind, heat waves and wildfires.

Before · Avant

List what must keep running (ventilation, water, milk cooling, heat lamps, aeration) and what each needs in watts.
Put power-failure and high-temperature alarms on barns with mechanical ventilation (poultry, hogs).
Run the generator monthly under load and keep enough fuel for at least 72 hours.
Keep power banks charged and a landline, satellite phone or battery radio for news.

During · Pendant

Run generators outdoors only, away from doors, windows and air intakes.
Open barn curtains, doors or emergency vents if fans stop - heat and gases build fast in closed barns.
Keep milk tanks closed and call your processor if cooling stops.

After · Après

Switch equipment back on a bit at a time to avoid an overload; check fans, pumps and alarms work.
Check that pipes did not freeze or burst and that every waterer is working.

Official advice: Power outages - get prepared · Keep carbon monoxide out of your home

9 steps

Tornado, hail & summer storms · Tornades, grêle et orages

Why it matters: Storms build in an afternoon: hail can flatten a crop and wind can take down bins, roofs and power lines. When: Mostly June to August; the Prairies and southern Ontario and Quebec see the most tornadoes.

Before · Avant

Pick the safest place to shelter on the farm (a basement or a small inside room on the lowest floor) and make sure everyone knows it.
Tie down or store loose items, empty bins and light equipment; check bin anchors.
On stormy days keep alerts on - a watch means be ready, a warning means act now.

During · Pendant

Get inside a solid building; do not shelter in a vehicle, a shed, a grain bin or under a tree.
If caught in the open with no shelter, lie flat in a ditch or low spot away from trees and vehicles and cover your head.
Stay off tractors and away from fences and wire during lightning.

After · Après

Stay away from downed power lines and damaged bins and buildings.
Report hail damage to your hail or crop insurer quickly, and photograph the field before anything changes.

Official advice: Tornadoes - get prepared · Hailstorms · Thunderstorms

8 steps

Heat & drought · Chaleur et sécheresse

Why it matters: Hot days stress animals quickly, and dry years leave you short of feed and water. When: Heat waves mostly June to August; drought can build over a season or several years.

Before · Avant

Check that every water source can keep up on the hottest day; test dugout and well water quality in dry years.
Make sure animals have shade and air movement; plan to work and move stock early in the morning.
Take stock of feed early in a dry year and line up extra feed or a plan to reduce numbers before prices climb.
Follow the Canadian Drought Monitor and your province’s water supply updates.

During · Pendant

Avoid handling, sorting or hauling animals in the heat of the day.
Watch people for heat illness too: water, shade and breaks for everyone working outside.

After · Après

Ask about AgriStability, AgriRecovery and the livestock tax deferral if drought cut your feed or forced sales (see the farm help directory).

How long will my feed last? Feed budget calculator

Official advice: Extreme heat - get prepared · Droughts · Canadian Drought Monitor

7 steps

Is your farm ready?

Every hazard, one plan.

Wildfire & smoke · Feux de forêt et fumée

Spring flood · Crue printanière

Blizzard & extreme cold · Blizzard et froid extrême

Power outage · Panne de courant

Tornado, hail & summer storms · Tornades, grêle et orages

Heat & drought · Chaleur et sécheresse

The core farm plan

Your farm emergency card

Alerts worth setting up today

Alert Ready

WeatherCAN app

Colour-coded weather alerts

Public weather alerts

Sources