Tag Archives: wildfire

Webinar Series: Wildfires, Smoke, and Livestock

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2024 Wildfires, Smoke, and Livestock: Getting Ready for the Fire Season

Online and free from OSU Extension

June 3rd, 4th, and 5th at 6:00 pm PT.  

Register here:  https://beav.es/cF7

In this webinar series, we will provide information related to the wildfire season as well as research updates on livestock exposure to wildfire smoke. We will also present information on how to care for livestock during wildfire smoke exposure and poor air quality conditions.

06/03/2024, 6:00 pm PT

Dairy Research Update

Dr. Amy Skibiel and Dr. Pedram Rezamand will provide a dairy research update on wildfire smoke exposure and its effects on health and performance.

06/04/2024, 6:00 pm PT

Getting Ready for Fire Season

Dr. Katie Wollstein will provide information on wildfire preparedness for livestock producers, focusing on fuels and property management prior to and during wildfire events.

06/05/2024, 6:00 pm PT

Beef Research Update & Livestock Care

Dr. Juliana Ranches and Dr. Jenifer Cruickshank will share an update on smoke exposure research in beef cattle and information on preparedness for livestock producers focusing on animal health.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Juliana at juliana.ranches@oregonstate.edu

This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2023-68008-39173 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The webinars will be posted afterward on the Livestock and Wildfire Resource Hub: https://livestockwildfirehub.org/

Livestock and Wildfire Resource Hub

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Colleagues at Oregon State University and University of Idaho are investigating the effects of wildfire smoke on cattle, forming the Livestock and Wildfire Research Group. As part of that effort, we have built a website that we intend to serve as a clearinghouse of information about livestock and wildfire. The “Hub” is updated regularly and includes information about our research projects, webinar recordings, scholarly papers, Extension publications, “What To Do” advice when wildfire threatens or the air is smoky, announcements of interest, other relevant resources, and links to our social media. Content on the “Hub” is also available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Visit our livestock and wildfire website here: https://livestockwildfirehub.org/

Wildfires, Smoke, and Livestock webinar series

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The fire season is right around the corner! Get ready for it with our Wildfires, Smoke, and Livestock Webinar Series. 

ONLINE AND FREE – June 13, 14, and 15; 6:00-7:00 pm PT. 

Register via https://beav.es/ToF

This webinar series aims to provide educational content to livestock producers, focusing on preparedness for wildfires, caring for livestock prior to and during wildfires, and providing the most updated information on research on wildfire smoke exposure and its effects on livestock health and performance. 

AGENDA: 

06/13/2023 6:00 pm PT

Katie Wollstein – Oregon State University 

GETTING READY: Dr. Wollstein will provide information on wildfire preparedness for livestock producers, focusing on fuels and property management prior to and during wildfire events.   

06/14/2023 6:00 pm PT

Juliana Ranches and Jenifer Cruickshank – Oregon State University

CARING FOR LIVESTOCK: Dr. Ranches and Dr. Cruickshank will share information on preparedness for livestock producers focusing on animal health prior to and during wildfire events.

06/15/2023 6:00 pm PT

Amy Skibiel and Pedram Rezamand – University of Idaho

RESEARCH UPDATE: Dr. Skibiel and Dr. Rezamand will provide a research update on wildfire smoke exposure and its effects on livestock health and performance.    

QUESTIONS? Contact Juliana at juliana.ranches@oregonstate.edu 

This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive. Grant no. 2023-68008-39173 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Post-wildfire Resources

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Many evacuated livestock have fortunately returned home.

If you’re caring for livestock that were exposed to days of wildfire smoke, keep them quiet. That is, limit exertion, even for several weeks after the air quality has improved. Be extra sure to keep fresh water always available. For more information, see https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/beef/animal-exposure-wildfire-smoke.
See also https://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/AnimalHealth/CaringforLivestockAfterWildfire.pdf

If you lost hay or pasture in the wildfires or are feeding displaced animals that don’t belong to you, OSU Ag Extension is coordinating a statewide hay donation and distribution program to those in need over the next 3 months.  Three regional locations are being set up for receiving hay donations and distribution, in Aurora, Roseburg, and Central Point.  If you need hay due to wildfire loss or to housing extra, unexpected mouths to feed, please fill out this form: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8BCqXt7sgbM113

Some livestock have not returned home.

For livestock that may have gone missing, Oregon Department of Agriculture has established an animal tracking website with a database of “found” animals and a way to submit information on animals with unknown owners that you may be tending. https://data.oda.state.or.us/fmi/webd/AH_AnimalTrack?homeurl=https://data.oda.state.or.us/ah.html

For those with livestock that perished in the wildfires, there is the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) from USDA Farm Service Agency. General information about the program can be found here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-indemnity/index
An Oregon wildfire-specific fact sheet on the LIP is here:

2020-OR-Wildfires-LIP-Handout-8.5-x-11-002Download

Wildfire Resources (updated 1:00p.m. September 16)

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We hope everyone stays safe through this wildfire emergency.

Here are several websites providing information (with maps) on specific wildfires and air quality.

Here’s an article on Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/files/220420.pdf The short summary is: minimize animals’ exertion when the air quality is poor and for 4-6 weeks after. There’s additional information about caring for fire-injured livestock.

Australian dairy farmers know about wildfire preparation: https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/farm/land-water-carbon/extreme-weather/preparing-for-bushfire

Options for evacuating livestock:

Benton County: Fairgrounds (110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis) — Evacuated Livestock and RV campers are being accepted. Call 541-243-2491. See https://www.bceventcentercorvallis.net/events/2020/benton-county-evacuation-information

Clackamas County: Fairgrounds is no longer an option. See alternatives here https://www.clackamas.us/wildfires/animals (some noted here). See also https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/773709353364775/?alias=773709353364775&source=search

Clatsop County: Fairgrounds (92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria) has space. Call 503-717-3824 to check; https://www.facebook.com/clatsopcountyfair/.

Columbia County: Fairgrounds (58892 Saulser Rd, St Helens) has space. Call 541-357-2899 to check.

Crook County: Fairgrounds (1280 S. Main Street, Prineville) has space. Call 541-419-6706 to check.

Douglas County: Fairgrounds (2110 SW Frear Street, Roseburg) has space for smaller livestock; call 541- 440-4394 to check availability. For large livestock (cattle, horses), contact Douglas County Parks Department at 541-440-6040. https://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=5204

Hood River County: Fairgrounds (3020 Wyeast Road, Hood River) has space. Call 541-354-2865 or 541-490-2985 to check. https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Fairground/Hood-River-County-Fairgrounds-168670806623958/

Jackson & Josephine Counties: Southern Oregon Emergency Aid (for animal evacuations), call 541-226-1124.

Marion County: Oregon State Fairgrounds (enter at 2400 Silverton Road NE, Salem) has space. St. Paul Rodeo Grounds is almost at capacity; contact Cindy Schonholtz at 719-440-7255 for availability; https://www.facebook.com/StPaulRodeo. West Hills Stables (West Salem); call 503-851-2214 to confirm availability. 

Lane County: Events Center (796 W. 13th, Eugene) has space for livestock. Contact at 541-285-8227 before arriving to confirm space availability; https://www.facebook.com/LaneEventsCenter. See also https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=17035134 under Pet and Large Animal Resources tab.

Linn County: Fairgrounds (3700 Knox Butte Road E, Albany) is full. See other options at https://www.facebook.com/groups/linncountylivestock

Lincoln County: Livestock County Commons (633 NE 3rd Street, Newport). Call 541-265-4961. https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/seasonal-hazards-wildfire

Polk County: Fairgrounds (520 S Pacific Hwy West, Rickreall) has room. Call ahead at 503-623-3048 to let them know what kind of animal and how many; https://www.facebook.com/Polk-County-Oregon-Fair-199482210083788.

Tillamook County: Fairgrounds (4603 3rd Street, Tillamook) has space. Contact Hayden at 503-812-6189; https://www.tillamookfair.com/p/about/fire-evacuee-information.

Washington County: Westside Commons (801 NE 34th Avenue, Hillsboro), formerly known as the Fair Complex, has space; call 503-314-3433 to check; https://www.co.washington.or.us/News/fire-evacuations.cfm.

Yamhill County: Fairgrounds (2070 NE Lafayette Avenue, McMinnville) still has room. Check https://www.facebook.com/YamhillCountyFairRodeo/

For assistance with livestock transportation/housing or to offer assistance, see https://pnwfireanimalrescue.org/

Oregon Department of Agriculture has set up an animal reunification website: https://data.oda.state.or.us/fmi/webd/AH_AnimalTrack?homeurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.oda.state.or.us%2Fah.html&fbclid=IwAR1-CFxfYUlW5UP0KbRKbdQg0Em-mnfBTBP3iVBsFWuQ4oz8bf-uhewew1I.