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These Photos Of Horses Evacuating The Easy Fire Are Heart-Wrenching
A horse rolls in the sand during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
The Easy Fire in Ventura County was just one of several new fires to break out Wednesday. It spread fast, scorching about 1,300 acres in about four hours.
Evacuating is terrifying, and it can be complicated. Evacuating with large animals is also terrifying, and it can be even more complicated.
As thousands of people fled their homes and headed for evacuation centers, the shelter for horses and other large animals at the Ventura County Fairgrounds quickly filled up.
Another center was opened at the Ventura County Humane Society (at 402 Bryant St in Ojai). Anyone with a horse trailer who wanted to help was directed to follow the instructions from Ventura County Animal Services:
🔥 #EasyFire: If you have a horse trailer and WANT TO HELP. TEXT (805) 469-0896 with the info below. No trucks without trailers needed. ALSO Simi Valley Animal Shelter is CLOSED for adoptions today. pic.twitter.com/6payKZDIQV
— VC Animal Services (@VCAnimalService) October 30, 2019
Rancho Grande, a preserve north of Ojai in Rose Valley, offered to house evacuated large and medium sized animals at no cost. They said to email them for directions and details.
Here are some of the images and videos from today that capture the fear and stress of complex evacuations.
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This is so heart breaking... It’s very hard not knowing if my horse made it out of this #easyfire https://t.co/gWIlgc4LtE
— Natalie-Tasha (@NatalieTasha) October 30, 2019
A horse owner scrambles to find his stallion during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
Ranchers load their horses for evacuation during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
Workers struggle to evacuate horses from small ranches as the #EasyFire, California's newest wildfire, spread to almost 1,000 acres in Simi Valley. https://t.co/QwNSNFWCFA pic.twitter.com/dvfrpMayBk
— ABC News (@ABC) October 30, 2019
A barn goes up in flames as the Easy fire rages Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP))
Cheryl Kanan evacuates with her horse Aries as the Easy fire approaches Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
#Easyfire handlers try to load horses to evacuate from Castle Rock Farms in front of fire. pic.twitter.com/nvo8pXNgi5
— David Crane (@vidcrane) October 30, 2019
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Volunteers help evacuate horses during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A horse roams free during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
FIRE RESOURCES
- Every Day Is Fire Season. Here's How Angelenos Can Prepare Right Now
- How To Find Out About Fire Evacuations In Your Area
- How To Keep Yourself Safe From Wildfire Smoke
- The Air Is Brown -- Should I Wear A Mask?
- This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home
- What Does 'Containment' Of A Fire Mean, Exactly?
- What Does A 'Red Flag Warning' Mean, Exactly?
- What To Do -- And Not Do -- When You Get Home After A Wildfire
- How To Avoid Getting Towed During LA's Red Flag Parking Restrictions
- If You Want To Help Fire Victims, Resist The Urge To Volunteer
YOUR QUESTIONS OR IDEAS
Melissa Leu and Lisa Brenner contributed to this story.
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