business backgrounder | economy
“For three years in a row they’ve had increased costs due to
fires burning down poles,” Wyss said. “They can either cut their
budgets or raise their rates, but how do they raise rates on people
who are already suffering?”
“Everybody is coming together to help everybody
else. Because of that, we’re coming back, and
we’re going to be stronger than ever before.”
— Roni Holder-Diefenbach, executive director,
Okanogan County Economic Alliance
cattle
Ranchers lost 900 to 1,000 head of cattle to the fires by recent
estimates and more than 800 miles of fencing. Those losses are
on top o