Santa Cruz County, California, Horses Displaced by Wildfire

Several horses have returned to their homes, but others remain at the county animal shelter and fairgrounds.
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High temperatures, dry conditions, and blustery Santa Ana winds are feeding a wildfire that forced the evacuation of more than 40 horses in Santa Cruz County, California.

The so-called Loma fire began Sept. 26 in Santa Cruz County. The blaze forced the mandatory evacuation of residents, horses, and other livestock, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). By Sept. 28, the wildfire had consumed 2,250 acres and was just 10% contained, Cal Fire’s website said.

The Santa Cruz County Equine Evacuation Team, a division of the Santa Cruz Office of Emergency Services, began transporting horses belonging to owners residing in the designated area once the evacuation order was given, the team’s website said. Some of those animals were transported to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

“We had 24 (horses), but five of them went back (to their homes),” shelter director Melanie Sobel said Sept. 28. “We don’t know how long we’ll have the others because we don’t know if their owners have lost their homes in the fire

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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