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Pesticide Emergencies
Pesticide Fires - Prevention, Control, and Cleanup
Introduction [top]
Fires involving pesticides can be very dangerous. Burning
pesticides may release toxic fumes that are poisonous to fire
fighters, bystanders, and animals or contaminate the
environment. Pressurized containers can explode. Pesticides can
spill out of containers damaged by the fire. Runoff from
fighting a fire can contaminate a larger area. Reduce the
potential for fires by following good practices.
Preventing Fires [top]
Store pesticides safely to reduce the risk of fires.
- Keep pesticides away from windows and out of direct
sunlight.
- Store pesticides in a cool dry environment.
- Keep combustible materials away from heat sources (steam
pipes, radiators, heaters, etc.)
- Be aware of explosive or flammable risks for the
pesticides used on your farm. Read and follow pesticide label
directions. For example, glyphosate (i.e. Roundup, Wrangler,
Rustler, Laredo, etc.) can create an explosive hazard if it is
in a galvanized steel or unlined steel (not stainless steel)
container/sprayer.
- Do not store pesticides near fire hazards such as ammonium
nitrate or calcium hypochlorite.
- Do not allow smoking near flammable compounds or
materials. Do not allow smoking when handling pesticides or in
the storage area.
- Do not work with flames near flammable compounds and
materials.
- Store pesticides according to
legal requirements and safety guidelines.
Contact local authorities having jurisdiction for requirements
and recommendations for safe storage of pesticides.
Accidents can happen even when taking precautions. Therefore,
be prepared in case there is a fire involving pesticides and
minimize the health, economic, and environmental risks that
result from fires.
Being Prepared for Fires [top]
- Develop a fire contingency plan. Each farm should have a
fire contingency plan or emergency response plan in case of a
fire. The plan should explain:
- How to prevent fires.
- Who to contact if there is a fire.
- What to do if there is a fire.
- Where the emergency equipment, access points/routes, and
evacuation routes are on the farm.
- Where there is a potential for water runoff on the farm
and how to prevent contamination of waterways. Include where
to obtain equipment and supplies for constructing dikes or
dams. Do not only rely solely on farm equipment as they may
not be accessible due to the fire.
- The location of critical or sensitive areas on the farm
(i.e. pesticide storage, other hazardous compounds, wells and
water supplies, water courses, drains, etc.)
- How often the plan will be updated.
- Store all pesticides in one designated storage room or
cupboard.
- Identify the pesticide storage shed/cupboard by putting a
sign stating “Danger Chemical Storage Authorized Persons Only”
on all entrances. The sign needs to be big enough to read from a
distance.
- Post emergency numbers by each phone and at the storage
shed. Write the numbers large enough so they are easy to read.
Include phone numbers for: Fire (911), Poison Control Centre,
the farm owner or supervisor, and the Provincial Emergency
Program. See “Emergency Contacts”.
- List all the pesticides in storage, their names, active
ingredient, PCP #’s, and quantity remaining. Keep a copy of the
list with the fire contingency plan and near the pesticide
storage area. Give the local fire department a copy. Update the
list each year.
- Ask your pesticide dealer for copies of the Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the pesticides on the farm. Keep
these in a convenient location.
- Show family members and employees the location of the
contingency plan, MSDS sheets, emergency numbers, pesticide
list, and emergency equipment.
- Tell farm workers and family members what to do in an
emergency. Have regular fire drills.
- Tell the local fire department that pesticides are stored
on the farm and the location of the storage area.
- Keep a fire extinguisher approved for chemical fires near
the storage area.
- Provide clear access for emergency vehicles to farm
buildings.
- Keep a spill kit near the pesticide storage area.
Click here for a list of the contents of a
spill kit.
- Regularly review emergency procedures for
poisoning, spills and fires.
Dealing with Fires Involving Pesticides [top]
- Call the fire department. Tell them that there is a fire
involving pesticides. Provide information about the
pesticides. It helps with fire fighting and the protection of
firefighters. Tell the fire department if people are involved.
- Do not take unnecessary risks. It is wiser to wait for the
fire department, than to risk your life.
- Keep people and animals away from the fire.
- Do not attempt to fight the fire unless you have been
trained and have the correct personal protective equipment.
- Avoid being downwind of the fire.
- Follow the instructions of the firefighters.
- Attempt to contain the fire and protect the surroundings.
Prevent the spread of the fire by cooling nearby containers to
prevent rupture.
- Avoid using large quantities of water to keep toxic
run-off to a minimum. Construct dikes to prevent flow into
lakes, streams, sewers, irrigation water, and other water
bodies.
- Wash before eating, drinking, smoking or using the toilet.
- If anyone is exposed to smoke and fumes, exposed body
areas should be washed as soon as possible at the fire site.
- If fire fighters or bystanders have symptoms of pesticide
poisoning, call the Poison Control Centre immediately.
- Once the fire is out, contact the nearest office of the
Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection for information on
decontamination procedures.
- Contact the PEP If contaminated water from fire fighting
enters a drainage system.
Cleaning up After a Fire [top]
Personal Precautions
- Remove protective clothing upon leaving site and place
them in a plastic bag. Wear waterproof gloves when handling
contaminated clothing. Throw out heavily contaminated
clothing. Clean less contaminated clothing the same way
pesticide application clothing is cleaned.
- Shower and shampoo thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wash inner clothing with detergent and put on clean
clothes.
- Watch for signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
Fire Site
- The fire scene should be secured to keep out unauthorized personnel until
cleanup and decontamination have been completed. Post warning signs and rope off
burned-out area and water run-off area.
- Contact the Ministry of Water, Land
and Air Protection for advice on cleaning up after the fire. Follow their
instructions.
- Wear protective clothing when working in or cleaning up a
contaminated area.
- Handle pesticide containers carefully to prevent spillage
of the contents. Containers may have been damaged during the fire. If you have
any concerns, contact a qualified person or agency for assistance. The
manufacturer, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Provincial Emergency
Program, or Pest Management Regulatory Agency may be able to provide
information.
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Concentrated pesticides that are spilled during the post-fire cleanup can be
cleaned up according to the instructions at “Pesticide Spills”.
- When the cleanup of the fire site is completed, decontaminate the equipment.
Additional Resources [top]
Return to Pesticide Emergencies or Pesticide Wise Home |
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