Whether or not you believe in global warming, one fact is indisputable: our world is drying - fast.
High temperatures, strong winds and low humidity have turned the west coast of the U.S. into a pile of kindling. As of this writing, more than 3.1 million acres have been charred, 3,900 structures destroyed and 26 human lives lost. Barely halfway through the 2020 fire season, nearly 100 blazes have consumed 25 times more land than in 2019.
Massive conflagrations destroy property, wreak havoc and confusion, endanger health, prompt split decisions and rip families apart. Fur babies are especially vulnerable to getting separated from their humans. Getting everyone back together may be especially challenging in this age of COVID. RedRover’s Wildfire Resources for People and Pets provides up-to-date contacts for specific geographic regions currently affected.
Even if you’re not living in an area immediately threatened by fire, certain precautions should be observed:
Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Poor air quality affects our pets’ health even more than it does ours. Their lungs and air filtration systems are smaller than ours and do not “blow off” CO2 as efficiently. This is especially true for small-snouted (brachycephalic) pets. Limit walks to potty breaks and brief visits with animal friends. Play indoors under cover of central air.
Keep plenty of fresh water available. Billowing smoke and ash create an “inversion layer” preventing heat from escaping into the atmosphere. Communities downwind of fire-ravaged areas can literally bake as though they were inside a convection oven.
Refresh yourself on pet CPR. Though the basic principles are the same as for humans, the techniques are different owing to obvious differences in anatomy.
Plot out multiple escape routes. This is especially important in remote areas where road access may be limited. Use a navigation app like Waze that can alert you to traffic flow and upcoming hazards.
Assemble an emergency stash of food, water, pet meds and other necessities and keep it accessible in the event you need to flee. Ensure that everyone in your home knows where the “goodie box” is located.
If you’ve moved or otherwise changed your contact information you MUST update the data linked to your pet’s microchip. Please also remember that a microchip is not a GPS device. Its effectiveness is solely dependent on the integrity of a Good Sam who finds your pet and brings them to a vet, rescue or shelter that can scan the chip, thereby locating you. Ensure that contact information on ID tags is updated.
Where applicable, have a plan for evacuating livestock. Monitor local weather closely and activate your plan well ahead of trouble. Ensure that tow trucks and trailers are mechanically and structurally sound.
If authorities urge you to evacuate or you see flames approaching, herd your fur family (and everyone else) together and leave immediately. Heroes save living beings, not stuff.
If, God forbid, you and your fur family are separated, check with local shelters and/or residents. Start with those closer to home and expand your radius as you go. Many may have already evacuated, but keep trying. Building a network of trusted relationships - including those with shelter volunteers and administrators - can create that lifeline that could pull you all back together. In this same vein, help your neighbor locate loved ones as you are safely able.
Should you and your family be spared of fire, dig into your pantries for extra food. Empty closets of clothing you haven’t worn in a while. Scan your home for furniture you don’t use.
Yours could very well be the stuff with which many displaced people will be rebuilding their lives.