This post has two messages:
First, after such a dry winter,
just as many predicted, fires are raging.
There are a couple in particular that are posing
threats to many homes and ranches of north-eastern Oregon.
The Canyon Creek Complex Fire near Canyon City has burned
26 homes and 100 structures (confirmed.)
Though the community is rallying together to help
those who have lost their homes, there's more.
You can see yesterday's news report here.
source
We were just over this road about 2 weeks ago.
This is a rural ranching community so not only homes,
but also animal barns and hay barns are ablaze.
My niece is on the Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire south of Baker City.
She sent a text and said one of the saddest things she's seen is
a rancher's nearly full hay barn burning and the rancher
out in the pasture baling hay as fast as he could hoping the fire
wouldn't burn the bales as fast as it would run up the windrows.
She grew up on a ranch and understands that it's more than
just a pile of hay.
If the cattle make it through the fire, what will they eat through winter?
In addition to fire-fighters and emergency crews
trying to save structures and contain the fire,
they have also been saving animals if they can catch them.
Again this is not just poodles and puddy-tats.
They get horses, cattle and other livestock.
The only humane society in north-eastern Oregon
is based in Pendleton.
They have sent dog and cat food, but also a trailer of hay, grain, and
other feeds to the area.
They are trying to get animals matched up with owners,
but in emergency situations, this takes time.
Animals, even tame, will panic and run from a fire.
That said, if you are so inclined
here's their site link if you would like to help out.
The second part of this post is asking you a very serious question.
Do you have an evacuation plan for you and your critters?
With the above fires encroaching on towns,
there are level 2 and 3 evacuation notices.
In other words, be ready.
So what's your plan?
Here are a few things to think about.
* Obviously, you and your family as well as important papers, etc.
* Access roads available to you.
* Animals:
If you have children, are they big enough to
get the bunnies or chickens in travel cages while
you load up the larger livestock?
Put the cats in the cab of the pick up and dogs in the back.
What do you load first?
Do you have a trailer large enough for all your stock?
Don't count on your neighbor's trailer. They be using it in this situation.
If not, which animals are broke to lead?
You can (in emergency situations) have small animal cages
strapped to the top of a trailer and halter trained animals
tied - horses, milk cows, etc. then would have to drive
extremely slowly heading out.
Note, where are the bungees and extra rope or para-cord?
Also a good idea if time permits, is to throw in some feed
for the various animals (buckets or coffee cans available?)
* Where would you go? Is there a friend or family member
within a reasonable distance with room for your entire ensemble?
* If you have children, do they know how to drive?
Licensed or not, this might mean you can get another rig
(be it car or tractor) out of danger- either loaded or not.
* Worse case scenario, if no notice - get out fast,
at least open gates and cages.
Animals will bolt and at least have a chance.
If cooped, caged, or corraled, they will be doomed to the impending danger.
These are just a few things to think about
that I don't see mentioned very often.
If you have a plan, chances are you won't need it.
If you need it, you'll be thankful you have a plan.
It's a lot easier to make decisions when you aren't in panic mode.
Wishing you all safe and happy homesteading.
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches
18 Aug. 2015 PM - update
Found out that one of the homes lost was that of a classmate of mine.
Another was that of a couple who happened to be our neighbors when I was in high school. He actually took my Sr. pictures. They had just enough time to each grab an armload of things. They each hopped in a rig to leave. He didn't have time to hitch up the trailer but was able to throw the gate open. The barn
was already burning. They allowed him back in yesterday morning (or the
evening prior) to see if there was anything left. The house, barn, corrals, etc.
were all gone, but his two horses were standing there nickering at him
from where the corrals once were. They had some smoke inhalation but are
expected to be just fine.
Support accounts have been established for the victims of the fire:
for further information, the contact is
First, after such a dry winter,
just as many predicted, fires are raging.
There are a couple in particular that are posing
threats to many homes and ranches of north-eastern Oregon.
The Canyon Creek Complex Fire near Canyon City has burned
26 homes and 100 structures (confirmed.)
Though the community is rallying together to help
those who have lost their homes, there's more.
You can see yesterday's news report here.
We were just over this road about 2 weeks ago.
This is a rural ranching community so not only homes,
but also animal barns and hay barns are ablaze.
My niece is on the Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire south of Baker City.
She sent a text and said one of the saddest things she's seen is
a rancher's nearly full hay barn burning and the rancher
out in the pasture baling hay as fast as he could hoping the fire
wouldn't burn the bales as fast as it would run up the windrows.
She grew up on a ranch and understands that it's more than
just a pile of hay.
If the cattle make it through the fire, what will they eat through winter?
In addition to fire-fighters and emergency crews
trying to save structures and contain the fire,
they have also been saving animals if they can catch them.
Again this is not just poodles and puddy-tats.
They get horses, cattle and other livestock.
The only humane society in north-eastern Oregon
is based in Pendleton.
They have sent dog and cat food, but also a trailer of hay, grain, and
other feeds to the area.
They are trying to get animals matched up with owners,
but in emergency situations, this takes time.
Animals, even tame, will panic and run from a fire.
That said, if you are so inclined
here's their site link if you would like to help out.
The second part of this post is asking you a very serious question.
Do you have an evacuation plan for you and your critters?
With the above fires encroaching on towns,
there are level 2 and 3 evacuation notices.
In other words, be ready.
So what's your plan?
Here are a few things to think about.
* Obviously, you and your family as well as important papers, etc.
* Access roads available to you.
* Animals:
If you have children, are they big enough to
get the bunnies or chickens in travel cages while
you load up the larger livestock?
Put the cats in the cab of the pick up and dogs in the back.
What do you load first?
Do you have a trailer large enough for all your stock?
Don't count on your neighbor's trailer. They be using it in this situation.
If not, which animals are broke to lead?
You can (in emergency situations) have small animal cages
strapped to the top of a trailer and halter trained animals
tied - horses, milk cows, etc. then would have to drive
extremely slowly heading out.
Note, where are the bungees and extra rope or para-cord?
Also a good idea if time permits, is to throw in some feed
for the various animals (buckets or coffee cans available?)
* Where would you go? Is there a friend or family member
within a reasonable distance with room for your entire ensemble?
* If you have children, do they know how to drive?
Licensed or not, this might mean you can get another rig
(be it car or tractor) out of danger- either loaded or not.
* Worse case scenario, if no notice - get out fast,
at least open gates and cages.
Animals will bolt and at least have a chance.
If cooped, caged, or corraled, they will be doomed to the impending danger.
These are just a few things to think about
that I don't see mentioned very often.
If you have a plan, chances are you won't need it.
If you need it, you'll be thankful you have a plan.
It's a lot easier to make decisions when you aren't in panic mode.
Wishing you all safe and happy homesteading.
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches
18 Aug. 2015 PM - update
Found out that one of the homes lost was that of a classmate of mine.
Another was that of a couple who happened to be our neighbors when I was in high school. He actually took my Sr. pictures. They had just enough time to each grab an armload of things. They each hopped in a rig to leave. He didn't have time to hitch up the trailer but was able to throw the gate open. The barn
was already burning. They allowed him back in yesterday morning (or the
evening prior) to see if there was anything left. The house, barn, corrals, etc.
were all gone, but his two horses were standing there nickering at him
from where the corrals once were. They had some smoke inhalation but are
expected to be just fine.
Support accounts have been established for the victims of the fire:
for further information, the contact is
Grant County Federal Credit Union at (541)575-0264.
Prayers always accepted of course.
