According to the EPA, wildfire smoke may cause medical concerns that range from mild lung irritation to permanent damage.
How Smoke Affects Livestock
The composition of smoke from western wildfires depends on the characteristics of burning materials, terrain features, and behavior of the fire. The concentration of smoke from a western wildfire varies constantly, and even satellite images of the smoke trail may not be a good indicator of smoke levels in a specific area. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, wildfire smoke may cause medical concerns that range from mild lung irritation to permanent damage. Livestock is more likely to be affected by lung issues because the animals are outdoors more often than humans. You may also notice other signs that smoke in the air is affecting your livestock, such as nasal discharge, sneezing, and irritated eyes. Animals tend to move away from anything that disturbs them, so the herd may move to a part of your land that is furthest from the smoke.
Protecting Livestock from Smoke
Fire and smoke maps are available online and updated regularly. During wildfire season, check the air quality at least three times per day – morning, afternoon, and evening. Look to the horizon to see if you notice any smoke in the air. Some recommendations from the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA):
- When there is visible smoke in the air and smoke maps indicate poor air quality, minimize the movement of your livestock.
- Keep fresh water near feeding areas, as this helps keep the animals hydrated. Moisture in the sinuses and lungs helps to remove harmful particulates.
- Take steps to reduce any other airborne particles near the animals, such as dust. Feed a diet that is low in dust, and water down any holding areas.
The idea is to minimize any other factors that may cause sinus and lung irritation so the animals’ bodies can focus on removing smoke particulates in the air.
Treating Livestock for Wildfire Smoke Injuries
If you have individual animals that are showing signs of smoke inhalation injuries, such as coughing and trouble breathing, contact a veterinarian right away. Damage to the lungs and airways may take up to six months to resolve. The veterinarian can help you assess what the recovery expectations are, including prescribing some medications to help the animal breathe easier and heal. The vet will also monitor for signs of bacterial infections and other issues that are secondary to the smoke inhalation.
Have a Plan
As part of your operation’s emergency contingency plan, you should have an evacuation plan for you, your family, your workers – and your livestock. With a large herd that is stressed, moving them will be even more challenging than usual. With solid planning and training your workers ahead of time on what to expect, you can better protect more of your investment from the effects of the fire.
In addition to an evacuation plan, you also need to plan to mitigate your risk in other ways, including planning for changes in market conditions due to the fires. Though some impact will be apparent shortly after the passing of the fire, including immediate losses of animals, it can take months or even years to measure the full extent of the damage. You’ll want to work with your trusted team of advisors to both plan in advance “just in case” the worst happens – and for support if it does. This team should include your insurance agent/broker, your lender and your tax specialist.
Resources for Farms and Ranches Affected by Wildfires
If your farm or ranch has been affected by wildfires, either by loss of livestock, damage to equipment, or degradation of the land, there are some resources available to help you recover. By having a plan, and being ready to take steps to protect and care for your livestock during a wildfire, you may be able to mitigate the risk to your operations.
