Practical guidance for horse owners on field and grass fires, stable fire prevention, emergency
planning and preparing to move horses safely when fire threatens.
FIRE EMERGENCY?
Tell the Fire & Rescue Service your exact location and that horses, livestock or people may be at risk.
Fire is one of the most serious emergencies a horse owner can face. Stable buildings, hay, straw, machinery and vehicles all create potential fire risks, while prolonged hot and dry weather can turn paddocks, hedgerows and surrounding farmland into highly combustible fuel.
Preparing before an emergency happens can make a critical difference. Every horse owner, livery yard and equestrian property should have a plan for preventing fires, raising the alarm and moving horses to safety.
Reduce the risk from dry grass, paddocks, hedgerows and surrounding farmland.
Identify common fire hazards around stables, barns, hay stores and yards.
Plan where horses can be moved, how they will get there and how they will be secured.
Prepare access routes, water locations and key information for firefighters.
During prolonged hot and dry weather, paddocks, verges, hedgerows and surrounding farmland can become extremely vulnerable to fire. Dry vegetation can provide large amounts of fuel and a fire may spread quickly, especially when there is wind.
The danger may not begin on your own property. Fires can spread from neighbouring fields, roadsides, woodland, machinery or nearby farmland, so preparation and early action are essential.
Avoid bonfires, barbecues, discarded cigarettes and other avoidable ignition sources around dry grass, hay, hedgerows and paddocks.
Hot machinery, exhaust systems and vehicles parked on long dry grass can create a serious fire risk during very dry conditions.
Keep gateways, tracks and entrances clear enough for fire appliances to reach the yard, paddocks and surrounding land quickly.
Identify useful water supplies such as hydrants, tanks, ponds and other sources, and include them on your emergency site plan.
Field and grass fires can spread rapidly and may change direction with the wind. Human safety must always come first. Never put yourself in danger attempting to fight a wildfire or entering an unsafe area to rescue an animal.
1. Get to a Safe Place
Move away from immediate danger and make sure you have a clear escape route. Never put yourself between a fire and your route to safety.
2. Call 999 Immediately
Give the exact location, explain what is burning and tell the operator that horses, livestock or people may be at risk.
3. Explain Access Problems
Tell the Fire & Rescue Service about narrow lanes, locked gates, difficult tracks or anything else that could delay emergency vehicles.
4. Move Horses Only if Safe
If it is safe to do so, follow your evacuation plan and move horses to a secure predetermined area away from the threat. Do not simply release horses loose.
5. Follow Fire Service Instructions
Once emergency crews arrive, follow their instructions, keep access routes clear and do not return to an unsafe area.
Stables and yards often contain highly combustible materials including hay, straw, bedding, timber, rugs, feed packaging and fuel. Good housekeeping and regular checks can significantly reduce the risk of a fire starting or spreading.
Keep large quantities of hay, straw and bedding away from stables where practicable, and never allow stored materials to block exits or access routes.
Look out for damaged cables, overloaded sockets, faulty appliances and unsuitable extension leads. Electrical installations should be properly maintained.
Stable doors, gangways, gateways and emergency exits should remain clear and accessible at all times.
Regularly inspect tractors, mowers, generators and other equipment for overheating, fuel leaks, sparks and electrical faults.
The safest policy is no smoking around stables, hay stores, bedding, paddocks and other combustible materials.
Where possible, keep vehicles away from stable buildings, hay stores and dry vegetation, particularly during periods of extreme heat.
Moving frightened horses during a fire can be extremely difficult and dangerous. The time to decide where horses will go, which gates need opening and who will do what is before an emergency happens.
Your plan should include more than one possible safe area because wind direction, smoke and the location of the fire may make your preferred evacuation paddock unusable.
Identify a secure paddock or other suitable area away from likely fire risks where horses could be moved quickly if conditions allow.
Always identify a second option in case smoke, wind direction or the fire itself makes your first evacuation area unsafe.
Keep suitable equipment somewhere that can be reached quickly. Do not store your only headcollars in an area that could become inaccessible during a fire.
Make sure everyone knows which gates need opening, where keys are kept and which routes can be used to move horses without blocking emergency vehicles.
Horses moved away from danger should be placed in a secure area. Frightened loose horses can enter roads, obstruct emergency crews or move back towards the fire.
Make sure everyone who regularly cares for the horses understands the plan, the evacuation areas and their role during an emergency.
Human safety comes first. Never enter a burning or smoke-filled building, or remain in an unsafe area, to rescue a horse. Follow the instructions of the Fire & Rescue Service during an active incident.
Rural yards and equestrian properties can be difficult to find and access quickly. Preparing clear information in advance can save valuable time when the Fire & Rescue Service arrives.
Keep your full address, postcode and a precise location reference somewhere easy to find so anyone on the yard can give it to 999.
Make sure entrances, gateways and tracks are clearly identifiable and wide enough for emergency vehicles where possible.
Record the location of hydrants, tanks, ponds and other potentially useful water supplies on your site plan.
Mark the locations of fuel, gas cylinders, chemicals and other hazardous materials that firefighters may need to know about.
Show stables, paddocks, evacuation areas, entrances, water sources, hazards and the safest routes around the property.
Include owner, yard manager and other key contact details so emergency responders can quickly reach the right person.
Consider keeping a clearly marked fire information box near the main entrance containing your site plan, water locations, stable and paddock details, hazardous-material locations and emergency contact information.
During prolonged dry weather, vegetation can become much easier to ignite and fires may spread more quickly. Horse owners and yards should review their emergency plans and reduce avoidable risks before conditions worsen.
Review your plan now, before smoke or fire is approaching your horses.
The Warwickshire Equestrian Emergency Network has been created to help horse owners, yards and members of the local equestrian community share important information when an emergency affects horses in the area.
During incidents such as field fires, loose horses, road emergencies or other urgent situations, local knowledge and fast communication can make a real difference.
Share Urgent Information
Help alert local horse owners and yards when an emergency may affect the surrounding area.
Connect Locally
Build connections between Warwickshire horse owners, yards and the wider equestrian community.
Prepare Together
Encourage better emergency planning, awareness and communication before incidents happen.
Use this checklist to review your fire preparation before an emergency and to remind everyone on the yard of the key actions to take if a fire occurs.
Quick answers to some of the most common questions horse owners may have about field fires, stable fires and emergency planning.
What should I do first if I see a field fire near my horses?
Get yourself to a safe location and call 999 immediately. Give the exact location, explain what is burning and tell the operator that horses or livestock are nearby or at risk.
Should I move my horses if a field fire is approaching?
Only move horses if it is safe to do so. Ideally, you should already have a primary and backup evacuation area identified. Never enter or remain in an unsafe area to rescue a horse, and follow instructions from the Fire & Rescue Service.
Should I release horses loose during a fire?
Horses should be moved to a secure area whenever it is safe and practical to do so. Loose, frightened horses can enter roads, obstruct emergency vehicles or move back towards danger.
What information should I give the Fire & Rescue Service?
Give your exact location, postcode, what is burning, whether people or animals are at risk, and any important information about access restrictions, water supplies, fuel, gas cylinders or other hazards.
Can vehicles or machinery start a grass fire?
Hot machinery and vehicle components can present a fire risk around very dry vegetation. During prolonged dry weather, avoid parking or operating hot equipment on long, dry grass where possible and keep machinery properly maintained.
What should be included in a horse fire evacuation plan?
Your plan should include your exact location, emergency access, primary and backup evacuation areas, water supplies, hazardous materials, gate and key locations, headcollars and lead ropes, emergency contacts and clear responsibilities for people on the yard.
How can I help firefighters find and access my yard quickly?
Keep your property entrance clearly identifiable, maintain clear gateways and tracks, record your exact address and location, and prepare a simple site plan showing stables, paddocks, water supplies, hazards and evacuation areas.
Is hay a fire risk?
Yes. Hay is highly combustible and freshly baled hay with excessive moisture can also generate heat internally. Hay should be properly made, stored and monitored, particularly after harvesting.
For further information and current advice, horse owners should also consult recognised fire-safety and equestrian organisations.
This guide provides general fire-prevention and emergency-planning information for horse owners and equestrian properties. It does not replace instructions from the Fire & Rescue Service, a site-specific fire-risk assessment or professional advice. In an emergency, call 999 and follow the instructions of the emergency services.
Review your fire plan, check your evacuation areas, keep access routes clear and make sure everyone caring for your horses knows what to do.
Visit the Posh Pastures Guides & Advice hub for more practical information on horse care, paddock management, pasture and equestrian land management.