By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor
Fires have been top-of-mind this year; many of us have already lived through devastating blazes of our own or that of our neighbors. Moving into summer, I think its appropriate to revue an unpopular topic.
The California wildfires have made me ponder the causes and repercussions more than usual; it has been a daily scene on the news. I keep waiting for someone on TV to mention the benefits of grazing livestock in fire prevention. My experience is much like many folks I know. As a third-grader, our farmstead was nearly wiped out by an electrical fire starting in our big red barn. As a thirtysomething mom, we were nearly burned out again when a neighbor chose to burn trash on a dry, windy day (at that time we were living too close to town). Most recently, a controlled burn-gone-rogue by some careless neighbors (on a dry and windy day) burned within a mile of our current home, drawing neighbors from afar to save pairs in a calving pasture. Fires can start in a thousand ways.
Although the repercussions for livestock are many, smoke inhalation is probably the most common problem we face during these circumstances.
Particulates
Smoke is made of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, soot, hydrocarbons and other organic matter. These notoriously build up in the respiratory system, causing both short- and long-term effects. Russ Daly, South Dakota State University Extension veterinarian, wrote in a June 10, 2020, article: “One to 24 hours after smoke exposure, cattle can experience pulmonary edema (fluid buildup deep in the lungs). This results in coughing or raspy breathing. Several hours to a few days later, heavy labored breathing occurs. Airways deep in the lungs begin to swell and one may hear wheezing as air whistles through partially blocked airways. Longer-term effects begin to show four to ten days later as an increased potential for pneumonia surfaces.”
After six weeks, cattle are as healed up as they will ever be. Survivors may always be intolerant of exercise or heat due to long-term lung damage. Eyes may be affected by smoke and heat, as well. They will generally show symptoms similar to pinkeye, although they will take longer to heal. Permanent blindness is often a result, consulting a veterinarian about antibiotic treatment is recommended.
Further Problems
Madigan, Wilson and Stull of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine wrote in their article, “Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock,” about the insidious nature of smoke in that its particulates are so small they can find their way into the deepest part of the lungs. It goes on to say, “Consequently, particulates in smoke are more of a health concern than coarser particles that typically make up road dust.”
The effects of smoke inhalation are similar for humans and livestock. Eyes and respiratory tracts become irritated. Reduced lung function and chronic pulmonary disease are common. Ordinary symptoms include cough, nasal discharge, wheezing and difficult breathing. Materials that are commonly discharged such as pollen and bacteria become more difficult to expel. Any increase in activity (example, sorting or mingling) can trigger bronchoconstriction, a narrowing of the small airways in the lungs.
Stress from smoke inhalation has even been found to increase mastitis and general illness in mature lactating cows. Lactation performance in general also suffers, as well as reproductive efficiency.
Helpful Practices
Plenty of fresh water should be provided adjoining feeding areas. Easily accessible water helps keep airways moist so inhaled particulates may be expelled more easily. Likewise, during this time, feeds should be low or dust-free.
The harmful effects of smoke extend far beyond the wildfire burned area, including particulates and toxic gases distributed through the atmosphere. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the amount of particulates emitted into our atmosphere by fires is more than 3.3 million tons per year. For example, the 2022 Calf Canyon fire in New Mexico burned an area larger than New York City. The implications of such a blaze (and this is only one example) are enormous. Widespread financial repercussions due to wildfires are enormous. It is estimated that Utah alone suffers $1.4 million in cattle losses in an average fire year. 2020 saw 10.3 million acres burned by wildfires in the United States. These numbers are expected to increase.
The University of Idaho estimates that particulate matter is disbursed into geographical areas 50 times larger than the areas directly burned by fires, traveling up to 100 days.
Skeibel, Anderson and Rezamand, in an article printed by the University of Idaho Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences, explain that “Cattle are prone to respiratory disorders such as BRD, in part because of unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the respiratory tract relative to other mammals. The same characteristics that predispose cattle to respiratory infections may also contribute to greater susceptibility to inhaled particulate matter. For example, cattle also have a longer trachea and bronchi, increasing pathogen retention time in the respiratory tract. Inhalation of wildfire smoke increases the susceptibility of the respiratory system to microorganisms that contribute to disease. Daily reassessment of livestock is necessary.”
Other Problems
This article addresses smoke inhalation. There are other problems, such as skin burns and damaged feet that require care. Severely burned animals may go into shock, requiring treatment or even euthanasia to prevent further suffering. These and a myriad of other problems require intense care. Poor appetite and inability to chew, gut impaction or other digestive tract disorders can happen when the head and face are burned. Feed may need to be soaked to encourage eating. Injuries can happen during escape, secondary to burns.
One memory I will always hold is when, as a thirtysomething mom with two children, the pasture adjoining our farmstead was ablaze, the fire headed toward the buildings at an amazing speed. Flames from the grass were unbelievably tall. Standing on the yard, I turned to see some man I had never seen in my life. He had arrived ready to fight the fire armed with a rake. It struck me as very odd. Sometime later, he disappeared. I didn’t see him arrive or leave. Who was this guy?
Our farmstead survived in its entirety, despite terrible conditions. Do you believe in angels?
