CORVALLIS, Ore. — As wildfires forced thousands of Oregonians to flee their homes, Oregon State University Extension Service teams across Western Oregon sprang into action to assist with livestock evacuations.
Fairgrounds in at least 12 counties served as intake sites for horses, cattle, pigs, poultry and other animals. When the fires intensified early that week, OSU Extension employees began preparing barns, sorting donations of feed and water, and organizing volunteers — often working around the clock.
“One of the defining characteristics of OSU Extension is our strong bond with the counties in which we work,” said Anita Azarenko, interim vice provost for the Division of Extension and Engagement. “Extension always has a strong presence at county fairs, and in some counties our Extension office is co-located at the fairground. Assisting in these wildfire relief efforts is a natural fit for us and consistent with our mission to serve all Oregonians.”
Boots on the ground
On Tuesday afternoon, Michele Webster, administrative office manager and local liaison in Linn County, received a call from a county commissioner asking for help. She quickly mobilized volunteers — including 4-H youths and leaders — to prepare the Linn County Expo Center in Albany for incoming animals.
“Pigs apparently had gotten loose already,” Webster said. “I sent an email to all our 4-H leaders, made some calls and posted a volunteer request on our county Facebook page. At 3 p.m., I shut down the office and headed to the fairgrounds.”
Though Webster had no livestock experience, she organized a spreadsheet to track incoming animals. The response from volunteers was overwhelming.
More than 600 animals were housed at the site. Webster pulled a 14-hour shift Wednesday and recruited her son and daughter-in-law to help. She worked alongside community member Shannon Braunberger, who responded to the Facebook callout and stayed late into the night on multiple days.
By Friday, Shelly Boshart Davis, a Linn County small business owner and state representative, had taken the lead.
“We could not have done this without Shannon, Shelly, the volunteers and the 4-H folks with experience in handling animals,” Webster said.
Collaboration and care
In neighboring Benton County, 80 4-H youths and adult volunteers sheltered 180 animals at the Benton County Fairgrounds — including some relocated from overcrowded sites.
“All animals were returned to their owners, well-rested, well-exercised and well-fed,” said Carolyn Ashton, 4-H youth development coordinator in Benton County.
Coordination and communication
In Yamhill County, OSU Extension faculty, staff, 4-H volunteers and youths began preparing the Yamhill County Fair and Event Center on Wednesday. They readied pens and cages for small livestock, rabbits, poultry and other animals and ensured water access for incoming horses.
Kelli Watcherson, administrative office manager and local liaison, printed and laminated approximately 200 stall cards to identify animals and track feeding, cleaning and health needs.
“We delivered dry erase markers and attached the stall cards so volunteers could easily mark key information,” Watcherson said.
Extension in the county also used its Facebook page to share volunteer needs, supply requests and local updates. The team coordinated with the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce to help displaced residents find resources.
“Our goal is to assist the fairgrounds and county with correct, timely information,” Watcherson said. “We’re striving to be a ‘boots on the ground’ team when needed and a trusted source of information.”
Massive turnout and effort
In Marion County, more than 600 volunteer slots at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center were filled in under 24 hours. At its peak, the site sheltered about 1,100 animals.
Care was primarily provided by 4-H youths and their families over nine days — and in some cases, for two full weeks. About 650 4-H volunteers contributed more than 2,400 hours of service.
Calm under pressure
At Westside Commons in Hillsboro, more than 330 animals arrived by midnight Thursday. 4-H youths worked day and night to help care for cattle, horses, miniature horses, donkeys, llamas, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens and pigs — including sows with piglets.
“Washington County 4-H livestock volunteers were absolutely wonderful and were a crucial part of the operation,” said Leah Perkins-Hagele, venue manager for Westside Commons. “The kids and parents did everything — loading bedding into pens, filling water buckets, feeding animals and even calming scared and stressed animals.”
A caravan of compassion
In Clatsop County, Jared Delay, 4-H education program assistant, led a caravan of 11 trucks and trailers into evacuation zones across Clackamas, Marion, Linn and Washington counties. They safely relocated 213 animals — including cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, poultry and a 1,200-pound boar.
The crew traveled 4,248 miles over four days. In response, the Samuel S. Johnson Foundation donated $5,000 to OSU Extension in support of the effort.
Lessons from past fires
On the Southern Oregon coast, 4-H volunteers in Curry County prepared the Event Center on the Beach in Gold Beach as a potential evacuation site. Ruth Dixon, 4-H education program assistant, received word early Wednesday that nearby shelters were reaching capacity.
With quick approval from local authorities and fair management, Dixon and her team set up boarding pens and cages. Drawing on experience from the 2017 Chetco Bar Fire, they organized the site in just two days.
“During the Chetco Bar Fire, I was able to gather numerous volunteers and we worked together to run the shelter for over a month,” Dixon said. “We cared for more than 20 pigs, 40-plus goats, eight horses and too many poultry to count. Our 4-H youths and volunteers are involved in community service and are able to jump right in and help.”
Previously titled OSU Extension assists with livestock rescue efforts as Oregonians flee fires
