Action sheet — During a fire
Keeping animals safe: from cats to livestock
A missing cat delays an entire evacuation; a horse trapped in its stall dies in a burning building. For animals, everything hinges on preparation: an accessible carrier, up-to-date identification — and, for large animals, a decision made hours before everyone else.
Key points
- An ACCESSIBLE cat litter tray (not in the loft), a lead next to the kit, and 3 days’ worth of dry food in the bag.
- We never let small animals out ‘so they can run away’: whether in a carrier or on a lead — once they’re free, they come back home.
- Horses, herds: VERY early evacuation (livestock lorry, mutual assistance) or gathering on a cleared, watered plot.
- NEVER keep an animal locked inside a building when a fire is approaching — an animal left free in a low-walled enclosure will usually survive.
Equipment: transport box · lead rope + harness · water and bowls · halters (for horses and ponies) · list of livestock transport support contacts
Why it’s important
Panicked animals flee towards what they know: the cat under the bed, the dog towards the house, the horse towards its stable — precisely the traps. The tragedies involving animals during major fires (stables burnt down with horses brought inside ‘to protect them’) all stem from the same misconception: a building burns, an open paddock does not. And as for people, an unprepared animal delays the evacuation of the whole family — crisis records show this time and again.
How to do it, step by step
Get the small animals ready to leave
A box by the garage entrance (not piled up in the loft), the lead attached to the kit, a photo of the pet’s registration booklet or passport, three days’ worth of dry food plus a bowl in a bag. Up-to-date microchip: that’s what brings them back to you if they get lost.
On the big day: collect your money early
As soon as there’s a serious alert, put the cat IN its carrier (before it senses your stress and runs off), and keep the dog on a lead. In the car: secure the carriers with seatbelts; never leave an animal loose in a smoke-filled passenger compartment.
Large animals: decide on the times in advance
A van for two horses = several trips: set off when the fire is 10 km away, not 2. Call on others for help (neighbouring stables, breeders, the Chamber of Agriculture’s livestock transport network) as soon as a red alert is issued for the area.
Alternatively: the refuge plot
If evacuation is not possible: gather the animals on the flattest, clearest plot (overgrazed pasture, ploughed land), provide plenty of water, and keep the gates between safe plots open. Halter + telephone number written in marker pen on the hoof or neck.
Never lock them in
Do not close stables, sheepfolds or henhouses as a fire approaches. Open the buildings if you are leaving: an animal left free will move away from the flames; if it is locked in, it stands no chance.
Report and find
Animals left behind: please report this to 112 and the town hall (“2 horses, Parcelle des Aires”). After the crisis: the town hall, vets and local networks will centralise the animals found — the microchip will do the rest.
The mistakes that ruin everything
- ‘I’m putting the horses in their stalls to keep them safe’ — the classic fatal mistake.
- Letting the dog go ‘so it can run away’: does it follow the family or stay behind to guard the house, amidst the smoke?
- If you find yourself searching for your cat for 20 minutes when the order to evacuate is given: leave, leave a window slightly open and some water, and let someone know.
- The transport crate, which could not be found or was found to be broken, was discovered on the day itself.
The tip that makes all the difference
The cattle marker (or a simple permanent marker) used to write your phone number on the flank of a loose horse helped reunite many owners with their animals after the major fires. Keep one in the tack room.
Frequently Asked Questions
The risk changes every day. So do your reflexes.
Check the fire alert status for your department, keep track of current fires and report a fire via the Feux de Forêt mobile app.