Veterinarians from the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital have come to the aid of livestock victims of the northern Colorado wildfire. Led by Dr. Brian Miller, the team has seen about 150 horses plus many alpacas, llamas, sheep and goats free of any charges to their owners. So far they have treated minor burns and lacerations from running through brush, but have not reported any livestock deaths.
Colorado wildfires in "horse country"
Veterinarians from the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital have come to the aid of horses and other livestock victims of Colorado wildfire.
© 2012 by Skukstr
The High Park Fire started by a lightning strike on June 9 has burned 87,250 acres and is 65 percent contained. The cost of fighting the fire is estimated at $33.1 million. Fire officials are saying most residents of the area should be able to return to their homes within the next two days now that the fire is partially contained.
Another major fire, the Waldo Canyon Fire started approximately 10 miles northwest of Colorado Springs on June 23, 2012, and is still burning out of control. The fire has caused the evacuation of over 32,000 residents of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Woodland Park, several small mountain communities along Highway 24, and partial evacuation of the United States Air Force Academy.
Throughout the interior West, firefighters have toiled for days in searing, record-setting heat against fires fueled by prolonged drought. Most, if not all, of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana were under red flag warnings, meaning extreme fire danger.