The 2024 Fire season is off to an early start on the west coast. The hot, dry June and July we experienced has created conditions which are more typical of Fall. Napa CART volunteers have completed their annual training and are prepared to assist Napa County and our neighboring communities with their efforts to keep animals safe during disasters. We encourage you to take a moment with family and neighbors to consider what an immediate evacuation might look like. Your preparation now could make all the difference in the chaotic moments surrounding an emergency.
Below are a few updates and resources to keep you informed and augment your own personal preparedness:
- In June, Dr. Sonder traveled to Scotland to participate in a global animals in disaster conference hosted by the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA). The goal of the conference was to share best practices amongst animal responders across the globe. Dr. Sonder shared the Community Animal Response Team (CART) template to handle the large numbers of animals evacuated in wildfires. She was able to learn from first responders, veterinarians and climate scientists who are dealing with disasters of all types – and bring that knowledge home to Northern CA.
- In early August, several Napa CART volunteers deployed to Butte County to assist the shelter in place of animals left behind in the Park Fire, at the request of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG). They were accompanied by Napa County Animal Services Officer Patrick Sagar and Napa County Sheriff’s Sergeants Baumgartner and Qugley. Over a thousand animals were sheltered by NVADG as the wind driven fire destroyed homes and infrastructure and prevented repopulation of the area.
- Are your animals microchipped? Having a registered microchip greatly enhances re-unification of pets with their owners. In the recent Park Fire, many animals came in several days after the fire injured with no identification. Thanks to the CVET team, those animals received the care they needed regardless of their ownership status. That said, a microchip is a safe, well proven tool to ensure that your pets get reconnected to you quickly. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping your pet. CARTs, shelters and veterinarians will scan animals in disaster as part of their intake process.
- What is your Red Flag Day Routine? When the National Weather Service declares a Red Flag Day, all the conditions are right for a fire to spread quickly once ignited. Most of Napa’s large fires have occurred on Red Flag Days. Make a plan to practice your evacuation on a Red Flag Day. Pull out your pet crates, load up your animals and give them a treat, fuel up your vehicle, gather your important documents and personal go bags, discuss communication with your family, map two ways out of your property, and check in with your neighbors.
For more information on a Red Flag Day routine, see: https://napacart.org/emergency-preparation/pre-plan-for-emergency/ - Do you know your zone? When wildfires occur, many Northern California counties use Zonehaven to map out evacuation warnings and orders. You can visit the Napa County Website and type in your address to identify your zone: https://readynapacounty.org/462/Genasys-Protect-Zonehaven
If you download the Genasys Protect App, it will allow you to understand the status of the area you are in whether home or traveling in Northern California.
As we prepare for fire season, please consider a gift to support Napa CART. Together, we can work to protect our cherished bond with the animals in our lives.
With Gratitude,
Claudia Sonder
Napa CART President
Read the PDF version (opens in a new window and includes photos!) Napa-CART-News-Summer-2024.pdf