As California Wildfires Rage, State Leaders, Students and Veterinarians Launch Effort to Help Rescue Livestock

Western wildfires continue to rage in the west, as California’s biggest wildfire is leading to widespread evacuations of livestock. And now there are efforts underway to care for animals left behind.

Western wildfires continue to rage in the West, as California’s biggest wildfire is leading to widespread evacuations of livestock. And now there are efforts underway to care for animals left behind.

The Dixie Fire is the second largest in California’s history. It has destroyed thousands of acres of rangeland, including for migratory cattle.

Leaders from the University of California-Davis, veterinarians, and California legislators have launched a new program. It’s called the “California Veterinary Emergency Team.” Their job is to help rescue livestock and domestic animals during disasters.

Students from U.C. Davis are helping out at other fires. Also right now, Farm Bureau organizations in Butte, Sierra and Plumas counties in California are partnering to help feed and maintain livestock. Similar efforts are underway in Nevada County’s River Fire.

AgWeb-Logo crop
Related Stories
Six technologies advance toward commercialization, with the first product expected in late 2026, despite criticism from environmental advocacy groups.
Persistent rain is shifting nitrogen from a fine-tuning tactic to a rescue tool. Ken Ferrie shares how to manage N-deficient corn, the “last best” window for ROI and how to protect grain fill.
With summer patterns running up to four weeks behind schedule, meteorologist Don Day urges growers to plan in short windows for the second half of the growing season.
Get News Daily
Get Market Alerts
Get News & Markets App