electric fencing fire hazard??

[corvidae]

I was looking into electric fencing for predator protection, but one of the directions for one of the fences I was researching made mention of the fact that the fencing was a potential fire hazard in dry areas. Well, I live in a high desert and the area where my chickens are is all scrub oak and juniper pine with scrub brush around. I doubt I can keep the entire area clear and I would hate to start a nice little widfire and have my chickens be roasted dinner. Has anyone else heard of this? Do the fences ever spark? I've absolutely no experience with electric fences at all...

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

They can spark if they short out.

Keep brush cut back and you shouldn't have a problem

 

[Carolyn]

I've not had any problems with fire hazard. However, during a drought last summer and fall I had a 'possum get in the coop and kill some chickens. What happened was it quit working when it got very dry and I did not know that could/ had happened. Since then I was told to water the area during a drought to maintain good conduction. Just something else you might want to think about. I actually do like mine and it has saved some chicky lives.