08/05/2026
Many Western States on fire, most recently in Central Oregon and Eastern Washington. Even after the fire has gone through, care of smoke inhalation is still a concern.
🙏 Prayers to families, cattlemen and women, livestock and the land
Sharing useful information from our friends at Washington State Department of Agriculture:
For those who are beginning the recovery process after a wildfire, caring for livestock can bring another layer of worry and hard decisions.
Our Caring for Livestock After a Wildfire flyer offers guidance on what to watch for in the days and weeks after a fire, including burns, smoke exposure, changes in eating or drinking, and when to contact a veterinarian. Animals can develop complications even when injuries aren’t immediately visible, so daily checks are important.
Caring for Livestock After a Wildfire flyer:https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/638-CaringForLivestockAfterWildfire.pdf
We also have a resource on wildfire smoke and livestock. A few things to keep in mind.
Caring for animals during wildfire smoke:https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Imported/FireSmokeLivestockUCDavisPublication.pdf
• Limit strenuous activity while smoke is present.
• Provide plenty of fresh water.
• Reduce dust with low- or dust-free feed.
• Give animals time to recover — smoke-related airway damage can take several weeks.
• Contact your veterinarian if animals are coughing, having difficulty breathing, or showing other concerning symptoms.
We know ranchers & farmers will do just about anything for their animals. But as you work through recovery, remember to take care of yourself, too. Your health matters, and you need to be healthy to care for your animals.
& photo credit: WSDA
