As rapidly moving wild fires swept through areas in San Diego county in southern California over the past two days, several fires threatened horse country and animal shelter areas along with homes, schools, and businesses.
A destructive wild fire
Rapidly moving wild fires swept through areas in San Diego county in southern California over the past two days, threatening horse country and animal shelter areas along with homes, schools, and businesses.
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Diego County Wednesday after temperatures approaching 100 degrees and gusting winds fueled nine wildfires covering 14 square miles Wednesday.
No major injuries were reported, but thousands were forced to flee burning homes, while hundreds of schools were closed through at least next week. At least two firefighters suffered minor injuries -- one heat-related and one from smoke inhalation.
As fires escalated Sea World took in about cats and dogs from evacuated homes and helped workers at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe move larger, "exotic" animals including a number of horses that were sent to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
A Helen Woodward spokeswoman said 90 percent of the center's 400 animals had been evacuated, including 17 horses, three goats, two alpacas and two 80-pound tortoises that were hauled off in wheelbarrows.
A total of approximately bout 800 horses wound up at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. While the fairgrounds were not designated as an official evacuation center, people still brought their horses to the fairgrounds and the fairgrounds said all were welcome.
Household pets including dogs and cats were evacuated to a nearby Petco store, the exotics to Sea World and and horses, sheep and alpaca went to the fairgrounds.
The fairgrounds also allowed owners to sleep in the jockey's quarters overnight and some owners chose to do so to be close to their animals.
Drought conditions have made fire danger extremely high throughout much of California. Officials have encouraged residents in fire-prone areas to prepare evacuation plans and clear brush from near their homes.