With thousands of Summerlanders we are now cleared to return home. We are excited to finally return. Our almost 7-year-old Labradoodle, Juno, shares our joy. We know our home escaped damage; likely the worst evidence of the Bald Range Wildfire will, for us, be smoke and ash.
A local pet owner posted just yesterday a warning to pet owners concerning the toxicity of ash. With Juno, we are grateful for this heads-up — more correctly “paws down.”
To all pet owners, hold off on letting your dog play or roll around on the grass until the ash has been thoroughly cleaned off and the air quality has cleared.
Wildfire ash is highly alkaline and abrasive. Running, playing, or rolling in it causes dogs to kick up fine particulate matter that irritates their lungs, eyes, and skin. More importantly, dogs absorb ash onto their coat and paws, which they can swallow when grooming themselves.
Safety Guidelines & Timeline
* Potty Breaks Only: For now, restrict outdoor time to quick, leashed potty breaks to keep physical activity low and prevent them from kicking up dust or running through the grass.
* Wipe Paws and Fur Immediately: Every time your dog comes back inside, wipe down their paws, muzzle, and belly with a damp towel or pet-safe wipe. This prevents them from ingesting ash while licking their paws.
* Thoroughly Clean the Lawn First: Before resuming normal playtime, spray down the grass, patio, and outdoor furniture with a hose to wash away the ash layers and settle airborne particles.
* Check Air Quality (AQI): Even if the grass looks clearer, keep exertion low until local air quality ratings return to safe levels (generally an Air Quality Health Index below 4 or AQI under 50).
Once the yard has been washed down, the grass is dry, and the air is clear, your dog can safely return to full outdoor play. In the meantime, stick to indoor puzzle toys or mental enrichment games to help burn off extra energy. Keep an eye out for any signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, excessive panting, or watery eyes.
[NOTE: These practices will also apply to dog parks and other play areas.]
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Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 
We all hope your return finds your home liveable, with utilities and amenities still in place and/or available. Thank God you had somewhere to be in the meantime, and I suppose the slimmest of silver linings is that there won’t be a threat of wildfire in Summerland for a very long time.
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