Fire Safety Tips and Solutions

Fire Safety Tips and Solutions.  Today, we present an insightful interview with John Mollhagen and Marc Ahrens, of Moly Mfg., who will discuss the importance of controlled burns, safety issues surrounding these events, and fire safety on farms and ranches. 

Join Gale, John, and Mark as they share experiences, advice, and solutions for this important and sometimes neglected area of farm safety!

Historically, controlled burns have typically occurred from January to April, depending on geographic location. However, this limited timeframe can restrict the effectiveness of a burning program. Nowadays, prescribed burns can occur year-round, providing more opportunities for land management. 

Fire safety is a significant concern for farmers and ranchers, impacting everything from fields to equipment and buildings. Every minute counts in emergencies! John experienced this firsthand when a controlled burn got out of control and nearly devastated a local community in Kansas. 

With limited resources and predominantly volunteer firefighters, rural communities often struggle to manage large fires effectively. To address this critical need, Moly designed the Hydro Dragon, which is created explicitly for rural fire departments, farmers, and ranchers. This innovative solution is valuable for controlled burns, grass fires, and emergency response situations.

IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE, contact emergency SERVICES. Do everything you can to prevent fires from starting. Fires may begin despite your best prevention efforts. Everyone must be evacuated immediately when a fire breaks out in a farm building. 

• DO NOT PANIC
• Call 911. Tell the dispatcher the type of fire (e.g., barn, shop, field), and give them your address and directions to your farm.
• Tell them the status of the fire. Is there smoke showing, or is the building fully engulfed in flames?
• Notify them if there are any people injured or trapped. 
• Inform them if there are animals involved. Note the types of animals, whether they are loose or contained, and how many are still in the building. 
• If the driveway is difficult to see or find, send someone out to meet the fire department. Many fire departments have delayed response times due to poor directions. 
• Shut off all power sources to the building.
• DO NOT enter the building! No one will know you are inside if you are the only one present. If the roof is on fire, it may collapse at any time.
• Contain animals in a field, corral, or trailer away from the fire

American Cattlemen

2025