Wildfires

Wildfire can have a serious impact on Washington’s agricultural communities. While Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) doesn’t have a dedicated fire relief fund, there are a number of resources available to assist farmers and ranchers who have been affected.

You’re not alone—we’re here to help you prepare for wildfires, respond safely, and support you through recovery.
 
Find helpful resources below:

Our wildfire toolkit includes slides and resources to help you get ready for wildfires, recover after a wildfire, and  make action plans for your farm or ranch. This toolkit is a comprehensive resource for approaching wildfire season.

Download full wildfire toolkit 

Quick links to toolkit resources:

Wildfire readiness poster: Tabloid size or Letter size 

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Wildire readiness social media outreach images (JPG files):

Alert and Warning Notifications

Stay informed by opting to receive emergency alerts on your phone and follow any emergency instructions given. These alerts provide early warnings when conditions are dangerous or expected to become hazardous due to high temperatures, dry weather or strong winds.  Subscribe to local emergency notifications at mil.wa.gov/alerts#local

Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time. Locations of active wildfires, evacuation zones, evacuation shelters, animal shelters, information centers, and food distribution points for evacuees can be viewed in the app.

Evacuation and Sheltering

During a wildfire, if asked to evacuate, listen to local officials for information about the nearest temporary evacuation point. Follow your local emergency officials on social media or monitor local news for updates. 

Evacuated large animals and livestock may be sheltered at local fairgrounds and feed may be available. Contact animal groups, livestock associations and county emergency management offices for guidance on where large animals may be sheltered temporarily. 

The American Red Cross provides temporary shelters offering safe spaces, meals, and essential services like first aid and emotional support. They work with local emergency officials and community partners to identify and utilize suitable shelter locations. Red Cross shelters can accept service animals. Household pets may be accommodated, or they may be housed in a different location with support from animal welfare groups.

• You can find shelters by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). 
• Text "SHELTER" and your zip code to 43362 to search for open shelters. 
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for information.

WSDA works with local, state, federal, and industry partners to support the safety and recovery of citizens, evacuees, and all livestock and companion animals. During and immediately after an incident, there are steps you can take to start the recovery process. 

Assess for Damages

Conditions may still hazardous even after the fire has been extinguished, so proceed with caution.

• Don’t enter any damaged buildings until authorities give you the go-ahead.
• Wear protective gear — such as a hard hat, respirator, steel-toed boots and gloves — when entering contaminated areas or damaged buildings. 
• Turn off the electrical power and other utilities until a safety inspection is performed.

Document and Report Damages

Document a description and location of all damages caused by the wildfire.

• Take pictures of all damage.
• Make an inventory of all damaged structures, supplies, equipment, and machinery.
• Save receipts for expenses relating to fire loss. 

If you have lost livestock or your farm  and crops have been damaged by wildfire, contact your insurance provider and your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) office. The USDA FSA administers multiple disaster assistance programs to help farmers and ranchers recover.

Caring for Livestock 

• Examine all animals exposed to wildfire smoke, heat or burns. You may need to spray them down with cool water to help them recover.
• Keep livestock away from any food or water that may have been contaminated.

 If you’ve lost livestock due to wildfire, WSDA can help farmers and ranchers through brand inspection or ear tag identification. Contact ahealth@agr.wa.agov or 360-902-1878 for help in identifying livestock or assessing disposal options. 

Caring for Yourself and Others

Disasters such as wildfires can take a serious toll on mental and emotional well-being. It’s important to seek help if you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or hopeless. Immediate, confidential crisis counseling is available:

• Farm Aid Hotline: 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with trained crisis counselors 24/7.
  • TTY for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing: 1-800-846-8517.
  • For more information, visit SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline.

This service is free, multilingual, and available nationwide. Don’t hesitate to reach out—mental health support is a key part of recovery.

 Organic Certification and Fire Retardant

If fire retardant is dropped on an organic farm, USDA organic rules consider it a prohibited substance. Producers must report contamination to the WSDA Organic Program. For assistance, contact the WSDA Organic Program directly.

• Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock – University of California, Davis
• Agriculture and Natural Resources – Washington State University
• Caring for Livestock After a Wildfire (PDF)
• Disaster Response Check-list
• Disaster Response Check-list (Spanish)
• Resiliency Resources For Agriculture Brochure

For direct questions email us at: emergencymanagement@agr.wa.gov