The Park Fire continued to spread to communities in northeast Tehama County on Thursday. It has burned thousands of acres of mostly rural areas since it started July 24 in Chico’s Upper Bidwell Park.
The Agricultural Pass Program allows some farmers and ranchers to access their properties during disasters such as wildfires, through House Bill 1103, passed in 2021 by Northstate Rep. Megan Dahle (R-Bieber).
Possession of a county-based agricultural pass allows farmers or ranchers to access areas that may otherwise be inaccessible to the public during a forest fire or similar natural disaster, so that they can protect or care for their livestock, for example by feeding, watering or transporting them.
In addition, owners and operators of commercial farms and ranches can easily identify themselves to firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel assisting in firefighting.
Those who hold an Ag Pass can irrigate their fields, protect infrastructure or support rescue workers, for example by marking access roads and water points that can be used in firefighting.
Mary Rickert, Shasta County’s 3rd District Supervisor and a rancher herself, has been a passionate advocate of the Ag Pass program since its inception.
“For ranchers, this is really important. I know my husband and I have been through several fires with our cattle over the years, and you have to take care of your animals. They’re valuable to you, they’re important to you, and so this pass gives you a little bit of flexibility and the ability to check on them and make sure they have water or feed, whatever they need,” Rickert explained.
The night the Chico Park Fire broke out, an Ag Pass training was held for Shasta County residents, attended by both Supervisor Rickert and Tyler Van Dyke of Northstate’s News.
“The timing was perfect because that’s when the park fire broke out. This way, these people now have the opportunity to get their passport, go through the process and complete it, and then they can have the passport,” Rickert explained.
The training is required to obtain the Ag Pass and provides ranchers and farmers with important information on how to use it. “This course basically trains the rancher or beekeeper on fire and what to do if you’re in a dangerous situation. And when you complete the course, you’re basically certified,” Rickert said.
“You go to the agriculture commissioner’s office, give them all your plot numbers and then they have a record of it. And then you get a pass with your photo on it and that gives you access to your livestock if you need to water them or feed them. Or, if you have bees, you can go in and take care of your bees.”
There are several Shasta County requirements that must be met before someone can receive an Ag Pass certificate.
