Langley, B.C. / July 4, 2017 – Approximately 2,000 wildfires occur each year in British Columbia. The effect of wildfires on the province’s agriculture community can be devastating and costly.
More than half of the wildfires in 2016 were caused by humans.
With the wildfire season upon on us in B.C., there are measures that ranchers, farmers, growers, and others who make their living in agricuture can do to protect their workers and and their property. Addressing potential fire hazards will significantly reduce the chances of a large-scale fire affecting your operation.
Controlling the environment is important. Clear vegetation and wood debris to at least 10 metres from fences and structures; collect and remove generated wastes whether it is solid, semi-solid, or liquid; and reduce the timber fuel load elsewhere on your property and Crown or lease land to help mitigate the risk.
In the case that you have to address fire on your property, have a well-rehearsed Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in place. The ERP should also include an Evacuation Plan for workers and livestock.
“Having a map of your property, including Crown and lease lands, and a list of all of your workers and their locations is extremely helpful for evacuation and useful for first responders,” says Wendy Bennett, Executive Director of AgSafe. A list of materials and a safety data sheet of all liquid and spray chemicals and their locations should also be made available to attending firefighters.
Bennett suggests checking the Government of BC Wildfire Status website regularly to report or monitor the status of fires in your area.
For over twenty years AgSafe has been the expert on safety in the workplace for British Columbia’s agriculture industry and is committed to reducing the number of agriculture-related workplace deaths and injuries by offering health and safety programs, training, evaluation and consultation services.
For more information about agriculture workplace safety or AgSafe services call 1-877-533-1789 or visit www.AgSafeBC.ca
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Media Contact: Lennea Durant
Media Relations
AgSafe
604-875-1182
lenneadurant@shaw.ca
