Photo by Mike Eliason
During an emergency, it is important that ranchers can access property to check on livestock and, if needed, move them to safety to another part of the ranch. Legislation signed into law last year authorizes counties to establish a livestock pass program, allowing ranchers to access property beyond fire lines and road closures. The legislation was sponsored by the California Cattlemen’s Association and supported by the California Farm Bureau. “There’s never really been anything for commercial producers to get in and get their livestock,” said rancher Anthony Stornetta, a Santa Barbara County Fire Department battalion chief. “With this, they come to a four-hour training session and get a card that allows them access.” Stornetta, who chairs the cattlemen’s association fire subcommittee, said the livestock pass program is also good for firefighters on scene, adding, “Many times (fire departments) need water or access to where the fire started and we don’t know where those roads are or where the water is located, so having those ranchers there is of utmost importance. “Ranchers have been on these ranches for multiple generations, so they know where fires naturally stop, how wind blows through the canyon and things that can help us,” he said. “We utilized it on the Dixie Fire and the Alisal Fire with great success.” New law gives ranchers access to land during wildfires to save livestock
Above, at left, Potter Valley Fire Department Chief Bill Pauli, a winegrape grower, instructs fellow firefighters Ira Harvey, Frost Pauli, Curtis Reichert, Hal Pauli and Kyle Farmer. Nevada County rancher and firefighter Tom Browning, left, often directs from a helicopter.
Photo by Heather McRae
Potter Valley volunteers Curtis Reichert and Ira Harvey, above, prepare equipment, while an unidentifed firefighter, left, battles a blaze.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
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