Camp Fire Resources

Resources for Livestock Operators Impacted by the Camp Fire

Farm Service Agency Livestock Producer Resources - The Butte County Farm Service Agency can assist producers impacted by the Camp Fire with forage loss, infrastructure loss (e.g. fence, barns, water systems), short term emergency loans (e.g. $50,000 in 4 days), cattle death and more. Click here for resource guide to learn more. 

Cattle Loss - If you lost cattle due to the Camp Fire or burn injuries and may seek financial compensation from the Farm Service Agency you MUST have cattle loss verified by a 3rd Party. UC Cooperative Extension is an approved 3rd party and can assist you with this process, please contact Tracy Schohr for assistance at 916-716-2643. Additionally, the Neal Road Landfill is accepting burnt carcasses in December on a special permit from California Department of Food and Agriculture for additional information click here and go to the bottom of the page. 

Livestock Drinking Water Quality - The Camp Fire was unprecedented, burning 20,000 structures and thousands of vehicles. UC Cooperative Extension looked at heavy metals, nitrates, VOC's and bacteria in waterways following the Camp Fire to identify any potential concerns for livestock producers. 

• UC Cooperative Extension Post Camp Fire Water Quality and Forage Quality Research findings. 
• Salinity and toxic elements in livestock drinking water can cause animal health problems. Click for Colorado State Cooperative Extension brief on topic. 
• Heavy metals and nitrates can be harmful to livestock health and can lead to death. Research has found an increase in surface water heavy metals after fires (Abraham et al., 2017). Click here to read more. 

Estimating the Cost of Replacing Forage Losses - Valuable forage was lost in the Camp Fire on an estimated 30,000 acres. UC Cooperative Extension has develop a tool to help you estimate forage losses.  

• Estimating the Cost of Replacing Forage Losses on California Annual Rangeland (ANR Publication 8446).
• Forage Replacement Worksheets:
  
  • Forage Replacement Worksheets ANR Pub 8446 Jan 2011
  • Prior Grazing Forage Replacement Worksheets, ANR Pub 8446, Jan 2011