Wildland Fire Operations

Wildland Fire Operations

Wildland fires can threaten animal safety, facility access, utilities, transportation routes, and critical infrastructure with very little warning. Wildland Fire Operations teams support facilities through evacuation planning, animal care, site security, infrastructure support, and recovery activities.

This page provides a planning reference for identifying the people, skills, and equipment that may be needed when a zoological facility is threatened or impacted by wildland fire.

Wildland Fire Operations at a Glance

Capability type: Incident response
Possible team size: 4 or more responders
Primary focus: Evacuation support, animal care, infrastructure protection, and recovery

The makeup of each team will depend on the fire’s location, facility conditions, evacuation needs, species involved, available equipment, and direction from local authorities.

• Core Capabilities

  Animal Husbandry
  Supports the care, feeding, observation, handling, and welfare of animals during evacuation, temporary relocation, or disrupted facility operations.

  Animal Transport
  Coordinates the safe preparation, loading, movement, unloading, and relocation of animals during an evacuation.

  Safety and Security
  Provides risk assessment, access control, site security, and safety monitoring to protect animals, responders, staff, and facilities.

• Supporting Capabilities

  Depending on conditions, the team may also require:

  • Veterinarian

  • Veterinary Technician

  • Chainsaw Operations

  • Heavy Machinery Operators

  • General Repairs

• Frequently Used Equipment

  Wildland Fire Operations teams may require:

  • Animal transport trailers and crates

  • Generators

  • Chainsaws

  • Hand tools

  • Communications equipment

  • Appropriate personal protective equipment

  • Animal evacuation and handling supplies

• Building The Team

  Questions to consider include:

  • Are animals likely to require evacuation or temporary relocation?

  • Which species require specialized handling or transport?

  • Are primary access routes open and safe?

  • Will fallen trees or debris obstruct evacuation routes?

  • Are utilities, fencing, or animal enclosures at risk?

  • Who will coordinate communications and facility access?

  • Can the team operate safely within local emergency restrictions?

• Related Responder Capabilities

  • Animal Husbandry, Aquatic

  • Animal Husbandry, Terrestrial

  • Animal Transport

  • Safety and Security

  • Veterinarian

  • Veterinary Technician

  • Chainsaw Operations

  • Heavy Machinery Operators

  • General Repairs

Important Note

This page is intended as a planning reference. All activities should follow incident-specific safety plans, local emergency guidance, professional requirements, and the direction of qualified response leadership.