Pressure treated pine posts easily fail during a fire. That allows livestock to escape

Risks

In a bushfire, timber fence posts and droppers can burn or collapse, leaving gaps that livestock can easily push through. Escaped animals face danger from smoke, heat, and traffic, and their loss adds stress and cost during recovery. Damaged fences also make it harder to manage stock and secure property boundaries after the fire.

Comment from Malcolm Hackett, Black Saturday 2009 referring to paddocks that were not burnt

“Where did all our pine fence posts go?”

Fixes

Quick fix: Inspect fences regularly and clear grass and debris along fence lines to reduce ignition risk.

Long-term fix: Upgrade to steel posts and droppers. Steel fencing:

• Resists ignition and radiant heat
• Stays standing when timber burns
• Keeps livestock safely contained even after a fire
• Reduces maintenance and replacement costs over time

Why it matters

Farm fencing isn't just a boundary — it's protection for your animals and your livelihood. A fire-resistant fence helps safeguard both.

Take action today

• Check fence lines for combustible materials.
• Replace damaged or rotting timber posts.
• Plan upgrades to steel fencing in high-risk areas.
• Keep spare posts and wire ready for quick repairs after fire.

For more on treated pine, visit our Resource Hub