NOV. 2016 | 29
FireSmart Farm & Ranch Practices
Well maintained short grass can be a good fire deterrent. closest to the house and outbuildings during the feeding season. That way, when spring comes, you have a larger buffer between the house and the outbuildings and the bales.
It is also important to clean up all the old hay and straw that accumulates in these storage areas from broken bales and bale bottoms, freezing down over the winter. This can be done by hauling it out on the pasture for the livestock to pick through, or it can be spread over the field like you would spread manure. You can also let your livestock graze this leftover hay.
Granaries, Barns, Outbuildings, Unused Land, Open Areas and Dugouts
You can apply any of the vegetation management strategies to granaries, barn and out-buildings to reduce the threat from wildfire. If you cannot easily get into these areas to mow the grass, livestock can make a good job of cleaning up for you.
Remember to manage vegetation in old corrals and unused corners of your yard. Mowing, grazing, weed-eating, treating with herbicide or gravelling are all ways you can manage this vegetation.
Try to manage vegetation around dugouts and other water sources as well. Not only does this reduce the fire hazard but it helps provide ready access for firefighters and their equipment. Keep these areas free of equipment, batteries, scrap iron, lumber, posts and other refuse. These items become a safety hazard for firefighters.
Submitted by: FireSmart Farm and
Acreage Magazine www. clearwatercounty. ca