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wildfire

Putting Out Fires

September 6, 2020 by Anthony

This is the time of the year that the inland regions of the Northwest dry out and burn.

Wildfires are a natural and necessary process in the grasslands and forests of the American West, but that doesn’t make them any less daunting. The flames can turn forested hillsides to ash, drive people from their homes, and engulf any structure left in their path. The resulting haze can block out the sun for weeks and make it dangerous for many people to go outdoors. We know more about the role that such infernos play in our ecosystem, but decades of fire suppression have left abundant fuel laying around. Climate change has brought higher temperatures and drier summers, population growth has brought more people into the woods, and development has placed more anthropogenic structures in harm’s way. It’s no surprise that wildfires have grown more intense, frequent, and economically impactful in recent years.

Right now, almost a thousand personnel are fighting a wildfire that has crossed into Kittitas County and descended into its namesake valley. This agricultural hub contains the towns of Ellensburg and Cle Elum, Central Washington University, and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. The sanctuary is not threatened by this blaze (although some past fires were way too close for comfort and led us to develop a mitigation and prevention system), but the plume of smoke was visible from the sanctuary and the valley was covered in a thick blanket of haze for a couple of days (below).

The firefighting crews of the Pacific Northwest spend lots of time preparing for events like this, and their main goal is always to protect human lives and homes while allowing for nature to do its thing. The Evans Canyon Fire, as it is now called, has incinerated over 75,000 acres of land (an area 1/10 the size of my home state) and is still only partially contained. Even with diverse experts, mathematical models, state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated firefighters, one unexpected breeze could drive the fire past the breaks and into new territory. Containment depends on preparedness and insight, of course, but it also depends on luck. For now, the conditions have been forgiving enough to get us through.

This is where we found ourselves this weekend with Burrito Chimpanzee. You can do lots of things to prepare for a scenario like this, and of course we have discussed the possibility of a chimpanzee being bitten by a venomous snake. Ultimately, though, we were grateful that luck was on our side.

The snake only bit one chimpanzee, not any of the others who mobbed it. The chimps retreated, allowing the team to close off the enclosure and carefully remove the confused rattlesnake. Burrito voluntarily isolated himself in an indoor enclosure, permitting immobilization. We obtained the necessary antivenin, and a little extra, quickly. Our entire staff rushed in to help on a weekend, and Dr. Erin was able to wrangle difficult circumstances to get the life-saving treatment into Burrito. Bubba, despite his initial bad luck, once again proved his resilience and strength. There were so many ways that this situation could have unraveled, but we’re glad it didn’t.

Now, the blaze is mostly contained but the fire is not out yet, and we’re still working around the clock to make sure we can respond to any setbacks. Most importantly, the team is monitoring Burrito’s clinical signs 24/7. Diana and J.B. set up a makeshift bed in the foyer of the Chimp House (above) so that people can be around all night, and we have a supply of emergency drugs loaded and ready-to-go on the clinic counter (also above). We have charts covered in hastily scrawled observations and checklists, and we were ready to give him food, meds, and liquids as soon as he was feeling well enough to sit up. Everyone whooped when he first sat up and urinated, and the atmosphere grew even more exuberant when he reached out and took a grape. We all exhaled in relief as Burrito, our resident phoenix, rose from the proverbial ashes and began to play the “poke” game with caregivers from the comfort of his blanket nest (below). J.B. recently remarked that veterinarians never get to eat dinners in peace, but that also seems true for the rest of the sanctuary staff lately. All day, we’ve been sending texts back and forth regarding Burrito’s status, and we’ve been doing our best to keep the greater CSNW community in the loop. I’ve never been so grateful to work with such a supportive, cohesive, dedicated group of people.

With the consultation of veterinary experts, led by our own Dr. Erin, we’re taking every precaution to give Burrito the best chance at a full recovery. He’s a popular guy, overflowing with charisma, and helps us to know that his loyal fans are also supporting our efforts. We look forward to sending you all some more good news very soon. For now, though, all we can do is continue to monitor Bubba and enjoy tonight’s beautiful sunset- one that only a horrific wildfire could paint.

Filed Under: Burrito, Caregivers, Veterinary Care, Weather Tagged With: animal rescue, animal rights, Animal Welfare, Burrito, chimp, emergency, medical, pacific northwest, rattlesnake, Sanctuary, snake bite, venomous snake, veterinary, washington, washington state, wildfire

The Wildfire Sprinkler System

May 30, 2014 by J.B.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already fire season here in Central Washington. The Taylor Bridge Fire, which threatened the sanctuary two years ago, was a vivid reminder that no matter how prepared you think you are for an emergency, there’s always more you can do. That’s why we’re so excited to be testing out our new emergency wildfire sprinkler system.

The system was made possible by a grant from the ASPCA and the donation of a pump by the good folks at PumpBiz. Because power is unreliable during wildfires, the pump runs on propane and draws water from a spring fed pond on the sanctuary property. Dozens of sprinklers, mounted to the posts of our security fence, drench everything within 40 feet of the chimp house.

The Taylor Bridge Fire was a very emotional experience for everyone involved, and I can’t tell you how good it feels to see this sprinkler system in action. Our thanks go out to the ASPCA and PumpBiz, as well as Keith and Nick, who did all the hard work.

Meanwhile, while we’re running around preparing for emergencies, the chimps are relaxing and enjoying the sunshine on Young’s Hill.

Foxie with a piece of grapefruit:

web_Foxie_grapefruit_cabin_YH_forage_jb_IMG_9737

Jody with many pieces of grapefruit:

web_Jody_mouthful_grapefruit_bamboo_forage_YH_jb_IMG_9755

Foxie, Missy, and Annie:

web_Foxie_Missy_Annie_YH_forage_IMG_9780

Jamie scouting for food in the grass:

web_Jamie_green_grass_YH_jb_IMG_9795

Jamie admiring the bamboo, Foxie admiring Dora:

web_Jamie_Foxie_Dora_Bamboo_YH_jb_IMG_9830

Jamie trying to  find a way in to the termite mound:

web_Jamie_inspect_back_of_termite_mound_YH_IMG_9834

Burrito, toy in hand:

web_Burrito_red_toy_YH_IMG_9867

Missy foraging for wild plants on Young’s Hill:

web_Missy_forage_YH_IMG_9889

Filed Under: Burrito, Construction, Dolls, Food, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, Sanctuary, Thanks, Volunteers, Young's Hill Tagged With: aspca, chimpanzee, fire, northwest, pumpbiz, rescue, Sanctuary, sprinkler, wildfire

Veterinary Clinic Progress

December 13, 2013 by J.B.

I’m happy to say we have more progress to report on the veterinary clinic!

With the help of our supporters and some generous foundations and businesses, we’ve been able to check more items off of our wishlist. Patrick and Carrie Hardie facilitated the donation of a steam autoclave, an automated external defibrillator (AED), and many other supplies. And Project V.E.T.S. has come through for us again. First, they connected us with Willamette Equine Veterinary Services in Oregon, who donated an automatic x-ray processor. Then, they awarded us with a grant that allowed us to shop for new and reconditioned equipment at apexx Veterinary Equipment, and apexx generously donated the first 25% of the cost of every item. This allowed us to purchase a laryngoscope set and an IV fluid pump (pictured below).

web project vets apexx donations

We’ve also been busy at the sanctuary making a place for the clinic next to the chimp building. One reason for this is this is that we don’t want to have to travel too far with an anesthetized chimpanzee on a stretcher. But more importantly, it’s best for the clinic to be in a secure environment in the event that a chimpanzee comes out of anesthesia unexpectedly. We could either reinforce the trailer to make it chimp proof, or simply park it within the perimeter fence that already surrounds the building. We chose to do the latter, but that entailed extending the fence 10 feet to the west, relocating the entry gate, and adding 60 feet of gravel driveway. Thankfully, volunteer Mark spent some cold mornings with us setting posts and running wire.

web clinic driveway construction

web mobile clinic at chimp house

With the fence modifications complete, we were also able to begin the installation of the wildfire sprinkler system, a project made possible by a grant from the ASPCA. A high-pressure pump will send water through PVC pipes around the base of the fence and up to sprinklers mounted on the tops of the fence posts. The pump will be powered by a generator and the sprinklers will soak the chimp house and surrounding area in the event of another wildfire.

web wildfire sprinkler installation

It goes without saying that the health and safety of the chimps is our top priority, so we are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters that make improvements like these possible. Thank you!

Filed Under: Construction, Thanks Tagged With: apexx, aspca, chimpanzee, clinic, northwest, project v.e.t.s., rescue, Sanctuary, sprinkler, veterinary, wildfire

Wildfire update

September 21, 2012 by J.B.

Just a quick update to let you know that the sanctuary is not in any danger from the wildfires currently burning across Washington State. However, the fires are creating hazardous air quality in some areas, including around the sanctuary on occasion. During these times, we have been keeping the chimpanzees indoors with the ventilation system recirculating and filtering the indoor air. Fluctuations in local weather patterns mean that the smoke conditions can change by the hour. Thankfully, the chimps are able to go outside most of the time.

Our thoughts are with the people affected by the current wildfires, including the heroic firefighters. For once, we are really looking forward to winter.

 

 

Filed Under: Sanctuary Tagged With: chimpanzee, fire, northwest, rescue, Sanctuary, smoke, wildfire

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Cle Elum, WA 98922
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509-699-0728
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