Fish evacuation and emergency sheltering during wildfire disasters.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Disaster Response
• Aquatic Animal Health

Background:

• Wildfires in western North America are an expanding threat, leading to widespread evacuations.
• Veterinarians play a crucial role in emergency response, including the care of evacuated companion animals and livestock.
• Existing disaster response protocols often overlook the unique challenges associated with aquatic companion animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide general guidance for the rescue, evacuation, housing, and care of aquatic animals during wildfire events.
• To equip veterinarians with the knowledge to address the specific logistical challenges of aquatic animal emergencies.
• To enhance the scope of disaster recovery by including aquatic companion animals.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing veterinary emergency response principles for terrestrial animals.
• Identification of unique challenges in transporting and housing aquatic animals.
• Development of practical recommendations for aquatic animal welfare in wildfire scenarios.

Main Results:

• Established that emergency response for aquatic companion animals presents distinct logistical challenges compared to terrestrial animals.
• Highlighted the need for specialized knowledge and protocols for aquatic animal evacuation and care.
• Provided a framework for veterinarians to integrate aquatic animal welfare into wildfire disaster planning.

Conclusions:

• Veterinarians can significantly improve disaster recovery by preparing for and addressing the needs of aquatic companion animals.
• Proactive planning and familiarization with aquatic animal emergency care are essential for effective wildfire response.
• This guidance aims to ensure the safety and well-being of aquatic animals during wildfire-related emergencies.