This report presents an analysis of data compiled from barn fires that occurred over a period of four years, from 2018 to 2021. Information on barn fires was obtained via media reports and public records provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The term “barn” includes industrial confinement sheds typically associated with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in addition to the more traditional barns commonly seen on family farms. Because laws and regulations vary from state to state, and municipalities are not generally required to report barn fires and livestock losses that occur within their boundaries, we acknowledge that there are unreported fires and animal deaths that our analysis does not account for.
This Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) report was prepared by Allie Granger, Farm Animal Program Policy Associate, with assistance from Dena Jones, Farm Animal Program Director, and AWI policy interns Marissa Boland, Samantha Maybury, and Lucía Chambi.
In This Report:
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2 INTRODUCTION TO BARN FIRES IN THE
UNITED STATES
2 BARN FIRES BY THE NUMBERS
4 THE PROBLEM OF BARN FIRES AT
INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS
6 STATE-BY-STATE REPORTS
7 CAUSES OF BARN FIRES
8 SEASONALITY OF BARN FIRES
8 FINANCIAL COSTS OF BARN FIRES
9 ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING
AND REPORTING BARN FIRES
11 EXISTING FIRE PROTECTION FOR
CONFINED ANIMALS
13 RECOMMENDATIONS
16 APPENDIX
20 REFERENCES
January 2022 (2nd edition)