Preventing Barn Fires

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108 – May/June, 2025

By William J. Given

Every year in the United States an estimated 200 horses will lose their lives as victims of barn fires. Although barn fires are much less frequent than house fires, they are more common than horse owners would like to believe.

Hay, straw, shavings, cobwebs, and wood are highly flammable. Add a bit of heat or a spark to any highly flammable material in a moderately ventilated wooden building, and a barn fire can easily happen. Most barn fires occur during the winter months of December, January and February.

No barn (or any building for that matter) is 100% fireproof, but most barn fires could be prevented by better design and construction, strict enforcement of no smoking policies, and clear directives about how the barn and equipment should be maintained. Owners and stable managers can take many steps to minimize the chances of a barn fire.

The following are suggestions for fire prevention and emergency management. They may not cover every situation, so, it is highly recommended that you seek advice from a fire safety expert as you develop your fire safety plan.

Causes of barn fires

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108 – May/June, 2025