While many residents slowly return to their homes in communities in northern Saskatchewan after having to evacuate from the hundreds of forest fires burning in the area, across the province there are other forest dwellers that are often overlooked: wildlife and pets.
Just as the dry summer heat, forest fires and smoke can make life difficult for the human population, wildlife and pets face similar problems, as well as problems of their own.
Dangers, near and far, that many animals face from forest fires include the presence of smoke, and the very dryness and heat that cause forest fires. While no fires have made their way down to southern Saskatchewan, plenty of smoke drifted southward over the past few weeks, creating hazy conditions.
鈥淛ust like people, there can be harm to animals鈥� lungs from inhaling smoke for any length of time. I live near the university, and I take my dogs to the park almost every day. I certainly didn鈥檛 on those few days when the heavy sort of haze of smoke was in the air,鈥� said Karen Sheehan, a clinic associate with the Wellness Department at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Saskatchewan.
Sheehan worked closely with the Northern Animal Rescue Humane Society, a group that recovered pets left behind in homes and on properties in La Ronge, after residents were ordered to evacuate in early July due to the forest fires in the area.
The most common detrimental effects of the dry summer heat on pets and animals include heatstroke and dehydration. Sheehan said temperature extremes can increase risk for heatstroke, which if untreated, can result in multiple-organ failure and seizures that can affect the brain, which can ultimately be fatal.
Pet owners ought to make sure their animals have adequate access to shade, particularly if pets are outdoors, Sheehan said. Pets that don鈥檛 need to be outside should avoid going outside or exerting themselves too much, if there is a lot of smoke present in the air, or if conditions are too hot.
鈥淢ake sure there is plenty of fresh water available for pets, in any situation,鈥� said Sheehan, noting that dogs in particular, are susceptible to problems stemming from heat, because of their inability to sweat. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why 小蓝视频 left in a car is so bad for them, and they become overheated so quickly.鈥�
Drifting smoke affects animals much in the same way it affects humans. The eyes and respiratory tract can become irritated, any respiratory or pulmonary disease is aggravated and breathing becomes more difficult, noted Michele McEachern, a communications consultant with the Government of Saskatchewan. When the smoke in question carries more particulate matter, nasal discharge and wheezing increases, and breathing becomes more difficult.
鈥淪ome animals could end up having asthma or chronic bronchitis, due to injury to their lungs鈥�(and) smoke exposure to the surface of the eye can cause ulceration,鈥� cautioned Sheehan. 鈥淲hen cats groom themselves, if there鈥檚 any kind of soot on their fur, they鈥檇 ingest it. They can get injuries to the pads of their feet if walking through ash or on hot surfaces, too.鈥�
In the areas affected by forest fires in Northern Saskatchewan, wild animals have their own methods to cope with the dangers associated with the blazes, said McEachern.
The response of forest fauna to the presence of a fire has evolved and adapted. When faced with advancing flames, most wildlife will flee or seek cover through a number of different strategies.
鈥淏irds will fly away. Mammals will run. Amphibians and other small creatures will burrow into the ground, hide out in logs or take cover under rocks,鈥� said McEachern. 鈥淥ther animals such as elk, will take refuge in streams and lakes.鈥�
The casualties that forest fires claim are, for the most part, the small and young animals 鈥� the ones that are unable to fly or run fast enough to get to shelter, or away from the fire quickly enough.
Although they are fraught with danger, McEachern maintained that forest fires are actually a natural part of the cycle of growth and decay in forests ecosystems in Saskatchewan. In fact some animals and plants depend on regular forest fires to grow and thrive in their territories.
鈥淟arge and frequent fires have always burned in the province鈥檚 boreal forests, and most plants and animals in the forest are well adapted to it,鈥� said McEachern. 鈥淎lthough natural fire plays an important role, there is no place for unplanned fires caused by people.鈥�
