Fire

[Icearstorm]

We were preparing food when someone loudly knocked on the door. About two minutes later, we learned there was a fire in the next door neighbors' backyard, and the firefighters were on their way. I ran to the finch cage, opened it, and transferred my eight finches to a travel cage in about three minutes. After around ten minutes, we had gotten everything valuable out: ourselves, the dog, the finches, two parakeets (I'm pet sitting), hard drives, electronics, safe, etc. Thankfully the fire was under control within half an hour, and we got the all clear after an hour or so, but it's best to be prepared for disaster. Later on, we discovered that some elementary schoolers had stolen a lighter from their dad before running into the woods to play with it... So the moral of the story is to have your travel cages easily accessible, back up your photos and devices, thank your firefighters, and DON'T LET KIDS PLAY WITH FIRE!

[Sojourner]

My finch travel cage is on the shelf above the finch cage. However I have yet to find a travel cage for the parakeets. They need a little more room than a couple of finches, and the cage they are in has one of those stupid peaked roofs which means it won't fit through my car door.

I keep looking but there is a dearth of small cages. I refuse to put them in one of those super narrow show cages, which are tall enough but not wide enough. I'd rather a cage big enough for both parakeets. I could build one but while I've not SEEN my parakeets chewing on their cage, I worry about zinc poisoning.

That wouldn't be a problem for finches, but I HAVE a cage for them. So I keep looking.

[lovezebs]

Icearstorm

Thank goodness all turned out alright.

I have often thought, god help my poor birds if there ever was a fire

Large flights, many many birds....
There would never be time enough to grab all of them, transfer into smaller cages, and run these numerous cages out the door. It would be impossible.

Which reminds me:
*NEED FIRE EXTINGUISHER FOR HALL BESIDE BIRD ROOM*

[MisterGribs]

Thanks for the advice! I just realised I'm quite underprepared.

Glad you and yours are ok!

[Icearstorm]

Sojourner
The parakeet cage they are in is about 1'x2'x2.5' tall and made with wire. I think it's too small for permanent habitation, and too big to easily fit in a car, but at least I could carry it. I think zinc-free cages are a thing, but they might be a bit expensive.

[Icearstorm]

lovezebs
Good idea. I have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, but I think that's it.

[Icearstorm]

MisterGribs
Thank you!

[lem2bert]

Icearstorm

A good reminder to all of us to be prepared.

I am certainly impressed that you were able to act so quickly, and that everything worked out for you. I am so sorry for your neighbors fire and do hope it was contained to his yard.

Kids are curious about everything so parents need to be responsible and teach them there are consequences when playing with lighters and matches.

[Barbara]

glad all is good like others here that would be my worst nightmare,I could get my dogs and myself out but birds cages are way to big to fit thru any doorway and too big to try to catch them,at least the finches.I have thought about what I would do maybe open all doors on cages then open window with a cage outside waiting to catch them as the fly out the window.could work?????

[Icearstorm]

lem2bert
It sounds like the extent of the fire was the neighbor's fence. They were saying some of their plants got burned, but it doesn't seem like anyone's houses got damaged. The dad of the kid/kids (I don't know if the others were his or just his kid's freinds) said he would pay for the repairs, so it looks like everything will be fine. The forestry service cut a firebreak, but it sounds like it won't do much good (it's mostly trees knocked over and the ground torn up, rather than a clear cut path).

[Icearstorm]

Barbara
I'm not sure; if your birds are anything like mine they probably won't fly out. In a very close or particularly smoky fire, it probably isn't worth risking your life for the birds...

[Barbara]

Icearstorm I know your right,but you sure try to think of a way,Again glad all worked out for you,Also hope you never have to go thru something like that

[Shannylee]

Icearstorm, SCARY! What part of the country are you in? We're in FL and have had a dry, windy winter...total forest fire threat.

[Icearstorm]

Shannylee
The southeast, so I definitely understand the concerns.