🐄 For livestock, plan trailers, routes and a destination before fire season

Alberta’s farm-animal preparedness page gives ranchers and acreage owners a clear three-step framework: know the risks for your property, decide in...

Alberta’s farm-animal preparedness page gives ranchers and acreage owners a clear three-step framework: know the risks for your property, decide in advance whether you will evacuate or shelter in place, and have the equipment and contacts needed for either. Evacuating livestock requires trailers, corrals, chutes, a route, and a destination stable or pasture that is willing and able to take your animals. None of that is improvised in an hour. Before fire season, identify the destination, exchange contact information, and confirm capacity. Practice loading trailers in daylight. If you choose to shelter in place because evacuation is impossible, Alberta recommends leaving at least 72 hours of feed and water that does not require power, marking each animal with identifying information (paint stick, neck tag), and opening gates so animals are not trapped if a fire reaches the property. Do not lock animals in barns when a fire is approaching — they need the option to move away from heat and smoke. Connect with your local agricultural department or county extension office and your emergency-management contact before you need them; many communities on both sides of the border have volunteer livestock-rescue networks.

Source: Alberta — Farm Animals and Livestock Preparedness

Last reviewed 2026-05-02.

This is the same wildfire safety library that lives inside our free app. Browse it all in the safety library.