Western wildfires not only destroy pristine wilderness, but also represent a threat to large farms and ranches that operate in the area. Livestock, in particular, are vulnerable to injuries from wildfires, and the effects can be short-term or permanent.
The winds that blow across your property also help carry wildfires and affect your farming and ranching operations. For farmers and ranchers, your land is a source of revenue. Not only is a home potentially lost, but also your livelihood. Unfortunately, in recent years the headlines have carried news of the wide-spread devastation of wildfires on farming and ranching operations.
According to a 2020 report from the US Department of Agriculture, wildfires across the country had already destroyed an estimated 6.9 million acres of land. Large farm and ranch operations not only suffer an immediate impact of fires, but it can also take years to rehabilitate the land to once again support crops and livestock.
How Do Wildfires Impact Livestock?
Like humans and other mammals, livestock can be physically affected by wildfires. The negative impact may include injuries while fleeing from the fire, burns, and medical conditions related to inhaling wildfire smoke. Researchers at the National Library of Medicine found that livestock producers suffered direct losses caused by exposure to wildfires and smoke, including burns, burn-related deaths, and pneumonia. The study also found that wildfires led to indirect losses, such as reduced conception rates, lower birth weights, and more unsuccessful births. Dairy producers noted a reduction in milk production, as well. Many of these injuries can be easily detected, but not all. Some effects of wildfires on livestock may not show symptoms until months or even years later. If you suspect that your livestock has suffered injuries from wildfires or need advice on specific signs to monitor, speak with a veterinarian who specializes in large animals and livestock.
Substances Found in Wildfire Smoke
At times, weather patterns across the US may carry smoke even further than usual from west coast wildfires across the country to the Midwest or East. As a result, livestock at a distance from the fires may still be affected by the particulates in the air. The particulates in wildfire smoke may measure just one micron, a miniscule size that allows them to easily pass into the deepest parts of the lungs.
Wildfire smoke contains a combination of substances that is harmful to humans and livestock alike, such as:
- Ash and soot
- Harmful gasses, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide
- Hydrocarbons
- Trace minerals
Signs of Wildfire Injuries in Livestock
An animal that is injured during a wildfire may or may not show obvious signs of injury, so it’s important to keep an eye on your livestock. The most obvious sign of a wildfire injury is a burn on the face or body. Also look for signs of problems with walking. The animal may have an injury, such as a sprain or broken bone, or the hooves may have been burned. Injured animals may go through shock, so watch for any unusual behavior, such as lying on the ground, tremors, salivating, or appearing confused. Livestock animals that are in shock may also separate from the main group, and the animals may not eat or drink. Livestock are also vulnerable to smoke inhalation, and may appear to be coughing or gagging, difficulty breathing or nasal discharge.
