California Rises From the Ashes Again
Wildfires this year broke records and impacted estimated tens of thousands of animals. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 2, 6,228 fires burned 876,225 acres, nearly three times the acreage burned last year, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It can be estimated that tens of thousands of animals—pets, wildlife, and livestock—were impacted by the recent fires in the state.
In recent years, UC-Davis veterinary faculty and students have been on the front lines for various fires throughout the state, and this year was no different. In fact, the university closed its campus from Nov. 13-15, 2018, because of poor air quality as a result of the Camp Fire, but the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital remained open. In all, faculty and students at the hospital treated about 70 animals, including pigs, goats, sheep, horses, a donkey, cats, and a llama.