Central Oregon fairgrounds provide refuge for livestock during wildfire evacuations
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — As wildfire evacuation orders continue to be issued across Central Oregon, it’s not just people who need a safe place to go. The Crook County and Deschutes County fairgrounds are providing temporary refuge for horses, livestock and other large animals displaced by the fires.
Animals temporarily sheltered at the Crook County Fair being displaced by Central Oregon wildfire evacuations.
Working alongside emergency responders and volunteers, both fairgrounds are helping care for evacuated animals while owners focus on getting themselves and their families to safety.
At the Crook County Fairgrounds, officials say caring for livestock is an important part of protecting the community during emergencies.
“This is all centered around community and priorities and making sure everybody in the community stays safe, including people and the animals,” a Casey Daly, Manager Crook County Fairgrounds said.
At the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, volunteers with the Pet Evacuation Team are also caring for displaced animals while working around preparations for the upcoming Deschutes County Fair.
Mary Barron, Interim Deployment Manager with the Pet Evacuation Team, says the best time to prepare for an evacuation is before one is ever issued.
The Pet evacuation Team is helping care for displaced animals at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds while working alongside emergency responders during ongoing wildfire evacuations.
“Before they get the evacuation notice, they should have a go bag packed and ready,” Barron said. “If you have animals that you’re going to evacuate, have a plan… have a little bag of food… so you can just scoop them up and go as quickly as possible.”
Officials encourage livestock owners to have a transportation plan, keep emergency supplies packed and know where they’ll take their animals if evacuation orders are issued.
Horses sheltered at the Crook County Fairgrounds are being cared for until it’s safe for until it’s safe for their owners to return home.
As wildfire season continues across Central Oregon, emergency responders say preparing ahead of time for both people and animals can help make evacuations safer and less stressful when time matters most.
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