DURHAM — Durham firefighters will soon be better equipped to treat furry family members during house fires.

A ceremony to celebrate the donation of pet oxygen masks worth $60 each to all 16 Durham fire stations will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Fire Administrative Building, 2008 E. Club Blvd.

An estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in fires, mostly from smoke inhalation, according to Invisible Fence Brand, which is donating the masks.

"By donating the pet oxygen masks, we hope to help save more pets and prevent pet owners from losing a beloved four-legged family member while dealing with the devastation from the fire," said Vance Bryson, assistant director of retail operations with Invisible Fence of Raleigh.

The Durham Fire Department is one of 175 departments in the Carolinas getting masks from the company.

This donation is a part of Invisible Fence's Project Breathe.