Unfortunately, Western North Carolina is now under a state of emergency far too soon after hurricane Helene. I sincerely hope you are not being impacted by the current wildfires across our region but hope you will consider these helpful tips for livestock producers who could potentially be in direct line of the wildfires. If a wildfire threatens your farm, always remember that human life must be first priority. Property and livestock comes second.

Being prepared for wildfire can go a long way. Here are some things you can do:

1. Create and update an emergency plan. Ensure all employees know what the plan is and how they can contribute. (see AMVA publication Large Animals and Livestock in Disasters)
2. Sign up for Haywood County mobile emergency alerts. 
   • Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts for local alerts and warnings sent by state and local public safety officials.
   • Listen to local officials when told to evacuate or shelter in place.
   • Download the FEMA app and get weather alerts from the National Weather Service, for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States
3. The Agriculture Emergency Hotline number is 1-866-645-9403 and is operated from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
4. Backup and store business records, inventories, vaccination records, and other key information to aid in the disaster relief process. Consider cloud-based storage for digital files.

Quick tips to protect livestock during a wildfire:

• Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas.
  • Make sure your farm/ranch has adequate water supply, such as an irrigation ditch, a water tank, a cistern, or a pond.
  • Keep stock tanks full when weather allows. This will help your local fire department have a water source in case of a fire.
  • Keep irrigation sources free of combustible material. It may warrant running the irrigation well to wet things down especially if a fire is headed your way.
• Maintain detailed livestock records.
  • Include the location of animals and fences on your property.
• Use clearly distinguishable identification methods.
  • Make sure animals have some form of permanent identification (ear tags, tattoos, electronic microchips, brands, etc.).
• Employ land use practices that discourage fire spread. Limit weeds, debris, or highly flammable trees and bushes in fencerows.
• Limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust or dust-free feeds and sprinkle or mist water on livestock holding areas.
• Make sure dead trees are removed especially if they are near electrical lines.
• Park tractors and implements away from combustible materials such as hay bales, haystacks, and fuel storage containers.
  • Have tractors hooked up to discs so you can use this equipment to make a fire break for an approaching fire.
  • Fill liquid tanks when not in use with water for fire suppression.
• Keep above ground fuel storage at least 40 feet from buildings.
• Plan to give livestock four to six weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal. Attempting to handle, move or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise animals’ performance.
• Have a livestock evacuation plan ready in advance
  • If you don’t have enough trailers to quickly transport all of your animals, contact neighbors, local haulers, farmers, producers or other transportation providers to establish a network of reliable resources that can provide transportation in the event you need to evacuate your animals.
• Good barn and field maintenance can reduce fire danger for livestock.
  • Make sure barns and other structures are stable, promptly remove dead trees, clear brush and maintain a defensible space around structures.

During a Wildfire

If you have time to evacuate animals, proceed with caution. Some animals may refuse to leave, and some may even run back into a burning barn or building. Make sure to close gates prohibiting access to dangerous areas. When evacuating animals, do not lead them to where they will become trapped or to a dead end.

The aftermath of a wildfire can be hazardous. A few precautions must be taken after a wildfire takes place on your property.

• Stay out of damaged barns and buildings and return to your property only when authorities permit you to do so.
• Keep livestock away from contaminated feed or water.
• Before entering a barn or building assess the true integrity of the structure.

Animals are especially susceptible to wildfires, particularly those that are confined to small pastures. After a wildfire, examine all animals exposed to wildfire smoke, heat or burns. You may need to spray animals with water to cool them down. You may need to humanely euthanize some animals due to the extent of their injuries and follow state guidelines for proper disposal.

• During a Red Flag Warning, some animals, such as horses, could be corralled to allow for fast movement.
• If you have a vehicle designated for moving livestock, consider having it hitched to a trailer in a position to quickly load and evacuate animals.
• Once you leave your property, do not return until told to do so by first responders. Communicate with neighbors and/or first responders.
• If animals are left on your property after you evacuate, let neighbors and first responders know to be on the lookout for your animals.
• Use emergency identification methods.
  • If animals are set loose, you can be creative with short-term identification methods.
  • Some producers have used spray paint to add personal identification marks on animals set loose during a wildfire situation.

After a Wildfire

• Document livestock losses.
  • Take pictures of dead livestock where they lay.
  • Document the location of livestock where they are found.
  • Do not move livestock until approved by insurance or local, state, or federal authorities.
• Practice safe and humane euthanasia methods.
  • Animals may be severely injured after a wildfire and need to be humanely euthanized.
  • Work with local officials to determine the safest and most humane means of euthanasia.
• Dispose of carcasses.
  • After documentation has taken place, check with local or state authorities for proper disposal methods (e.g. burial, rendering, composting, etc.)
• Apply for federal assistance.
  • Federal assistance related to wildfire losses may be available depending on the scope of the incident.
  • This information will be available from the Haywood County FSA office.

Useful websites

• Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock
• Wildfire Smoke and Animals
• Protect Your Large Animals and Livestock from Wildfire Smoke
• Wildfire Preparedness for Horse Owners
• Wildfire Aftermath: Beef Cattle Health Considerations
• Large Animals and Livestock in Disaster
• Caring for Livestock Before Disaster
• Caring for Livestock During Disaster
• Caring for Livestock After Disaster
• Additional resources to generate emergency plans for farms and ranches can be downloaded here:
  • Printable Wildfire Preparation Strategies for Commercial Ranchers Guide – by Dan Macon, UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor
  • Printable Ranch Fire Preparation Plan – by Dan Macon, UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor
  • Printable Emergency Preparedness for Farmworkers Fact Sheet – by OSHA

This information is adapted from publications from California, Nebraska and Oregon Extension services as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association.