The President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture says barn fires are a harsh reminder of the dangers of farming.
Don McCabe says some larger operations will have an alarm system in place but there are no regulations requesting fire alarms or sprinklers be installed in barns. He adds that it would be difficult to keep sprinkler lines from freezing.
Cold weather has been a factor in the recent string of barn fires in southwestern Ontario, as McCabe says there's more strain on heaters and wiring during the winter months, leading to potential equipment failure.
Farmers are requested by insurance companies to make sure their wiring is up to date, but McCabe says it can be challenging to keep racoons and other pests from chewing at the wiring.
McCabe, a former Inwood fire chief, says the availability of water is another issue for firefighters in rural settings.
"Especially this time of year, with the cold and trying to keep the (water) lines active and warm," says McCabe. "Firefighters themselves don't always come from farms, so when if you've got a whole herd of panicked animals, how do you suddenly address this issue?"
McCabe says these fires almost always happen during the overnight hours, making it more difficult to respond and control in a timely manner.
He says the type of coverage varies from farm to farm, but the OFA does recommend all farmers insure their property and live stock.
The North Middlesex Fire Department released farm fire safety tips:
