Rural communities face unique fire risks. The distance between communities and between residents within those communities results in challenges related to fire. Fire death rates in rural areas are very high. Additionally, loss of property and livestock have an extreme emotional and economic impact on residents in the local area.

Common fire problems in rural areas

• Heating is a common cause of residential structure fires and deaths.
• Fixed heaters, including wood stoves, are involved in most rural residential heating fires.
• Damaged electrical equipment is often the source of fire in barns and other farm buildings.
• Many homes do not have working smoke alarms increasing risk of death in a fire.

Downloadable Resources

• • Barn Safety Checklist