Volunteers Band Together to Safely Evacuate Panicked Horses Near Easy Fire
The fire between Simi Valley and Moorpark broke out in extremely dangerous red flag conditions in Southern California
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Volunteers arrived early and brought trailers to help evacuate a large number of horses dangerously close to the Easy Fire in the Moorpark area. Eric Leonard reports for the special fire coverage on the NBC4 News at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
What to Know
The Easy Fire started early Wednesday in the hills of southeastern Ventura County
Evacuations were ordered in neighborhoods near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The fire broke out during some of the most dangerous red flag conditions in years in Southern California
A large number of volunteers arrived as soon as they got word to help evacuate panicked horses near the Easy Fire in Simi Valley, which in a few hours had consumed more than 1,000 acres Wednesday morning amid some of the fiercest Santa Ana winds the region had ever seen.
The Easy Fire erupted around 6 a.m., climbing a hillside near homes and surrounding the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in thick smoke.
After an early morning call from staff at Elvenstar, a recreational equestrian facility located on Tierra Rejada Road, calls from one horse lover to another kept snowballing until a large number of volunteers began rolling in like a calvary to help save the horses, who many consider not just gentle giants, but their pets.
The immediate need: helping dozens of horses at Castle Rock Farms, right in the thick of the flames at 15608 Tierra Rejada Rd. in Moorpark.
Julie Conner Daniels said she got the call from Elvenstar, so she called a friend, who called five more friends, and help began rolling in as soon as they heard word of danger.
Elizabeth Chavolla
This bag includes scissors, bandages, gauze, insurance cards, cut and rash creams, antiseptic cream, antihistamine tablets, cough syrup, alcohol towels, eye drops and distilled water.
Elizabeth Chavolla
Perhaps the most important tool in an emergency situation is the whistle, as this will help rescue teams find you.
American Red Cross
It is important that each member of your family has their own backpack. Each backpack should include everything that is mentioned on this list. Seniors, babies and pets must have their own backpack. If you have a pet, prepare a backpack with food and toys.
Elizabeth Chavolla
The poncho will keep you dry and protect you from rain. Also have a change of thermal clothing.
Elizabeth Chavolla
In a plastic bag, put soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, cotton, cleaning towels, lotion, disposable tissues, razors and feminine towels.
ElizabethChavolla
These lenses are used for protecting your eyes from dust and other hazards.
Elizabeth Chavolla
In a plastic bag include a copy of your identification, license, passport and social security.
Elizabeth Chavolla
One gallon of water per person is recommended, so that you have water for at least 3 to 5 days.
Elizabeth Chavolla
Be sure to pack one or two chargers for your phone, as well as portable chargers that can be pre-charged and ready to use while on the go.
Elizabeth Chavolla
All food you keep must be food that is not perishable. Do not forget to include a can opener.
Elizabeth Chavolla
It is important to have a flashlight in your emergency backpack, but also in every room of your home, given that a natural disaster can occur at any time. Make sure you have enough batteries.
Elizabeth Chavolla
It is important to have a self-charging radio and to have batteries for it. You can buy a radio combo, which includes flashlight, radio and phone charger.
Elizabeth Chavolla
These elements are necessary to close the gas supply in your home.
Elizabeth Chavolla
If you have a medical history, include a list of your medicines and have enough doses for one week.
Elizabeth Chavolla
Keep cash in your bag. In case of a major emergency, there will be no access to banks or ATMs.
Daniels said they all began banding together with what she calls a strong network of horse owners to bring as many horse trailers as they could.
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Julie said there could be hundreds, maybe even a thousand horses in the area.
The call came early enough into the fire that Daniels says she believes they have enough trailers and volunteers to get all animals to safety.
After a close call in the past for Elvenstar, Julie says she made the call as soon as she heard about the fire.
Ventura County Sheriffs Department
On the front lines of the Easy Fire, Deputies standing fast to continue evacuations in the fire affected areas despite being caught in the line of fire themselves.
Ventura Sheriff Department
On the front lines of the Easy Fire, deputies standing fast to continue evacuations in the fire affected areas despite being caught in the line of fire themselves.
Associated Press
Horse owners evacuate during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. A new wildfire erupted Wednesday in wind-whipped Southern California, forcing the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes, as both ends of the state struggled with blazes, dangerously gusty weather and deliberate blackouts. (AP Photo/ Christian Monterrosa)
Associated Press
CORRECTS DATE TO OCT. 30 - Smoke engulfs around the Ronald Reagan Library during the Easy Fire, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. A new wildfire erupted Wednesday in wind-whipped Southern California, forcing the evacuation of the library and nearby homes, as both ends of the state struggled with blazes, dangerously gusty weather and deliberate blackouts. (AP Photo/ Christian Monterrosa)
Associated Press
Trinh Nguyen, of the Camarillo Fire Dept, monitors the advance of the Easy Fire as a helicopter makes a water drop Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the brush fire broke out before dawn between the cities of Simi Valley and Moorpark north of Los Angeles and exploded to more than 1,300 acres (526 hectares), threatening 6,500 homes, Ventura County officials said. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Associated Press
Beth Rivera hoses down her property as the Easy fire approaches Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the brush fire broke out before dawn between the cities of Simi Valley and Moorpark north of Los Angeles and exploded to more than 1,300 acres (526 hectares), threatening 6,500 homes, Ventura County officials said. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Associated Press
Marco Alcaraz uses a garden hose to protect his girlfriend's home as the Easy fire approaches Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. A new wildfire erupted Wednesday in wind-whipped Southern California, forcing the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes, as both ends of the state struggled with blazes, dangerously gusty weather and deliberate blackouts. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Associated Press
A man walks down from a burning hillside as the Easy fire burns Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Simi Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Edwin Calderon
One of the smallest victims of the Easy Fire.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's Air Force One sits on display at the Reagan Presidential Library as the Easy Fire burns in the hills on October 30, 2019 in Simi Valley, California. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBCLA
A helicopter drops water onto the Easy Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
NBCLA
A Skycrane drops water on the Easy Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters battle to protect the Reagan Library from the Easy Fire in Simi Valley, California on October 30, 2019. - Firefighters made progress battling a fire raging in northern California's wine country on Wednesday as rare "extreme" red flag warnings were issued for much of the Los Angeles region. The National Weather Service said powerful Santa Ana winds, with potential gusts of up to 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour) in mountainous areas, had created "extremely critical" conditions in parts of southern California."We expect the Santa Anas to be howling," the NWS said.A blaze in the Simi Valley northeast of Los Angeles known as the "Easy Fire" forced the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes, officials said. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
SIMI VALLEY, CA - OCTOBER 30: Helicopters hit flames and burning brush along Madera Rd. as firefighters battle the Easy fire October 30, 2019 in Simi Valley, California. Fueled by the Santa Ana winds, the fire has quickly spread to 1300 acres. (Photo by Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Staff Photographer
SIMI VALLEY, CA - OCTOBER 30: Cars traveling eastbound on the 118 Freeway as a fire burns near Madera Rd. on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. 9photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
NBCLA
Smoke surrounds the Reagan Library Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
Ventura County Fire Department
A fire burns early Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
Ventura County Fire Department
A fire burns early Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
NBCLA
A helicopter drops water on the Easy Fire Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
AP
A firefighter battles a wildfire near a ranch in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. The large new wildfire erupted in wind-whipped Southern California, forcing the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP
Horses are evacuated from a ranch in Simi Valley Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
AP
A firefighter battles a wildfire near a ranch in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. A large new wildfire has erupted in wind-whipped Southern California, forcing the evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and nearby homes. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP
Fabio Losurdo comforts his horse, Smarty, at a ranch in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. A brush fire broke out just before dawn in the Simi Valley area north of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
NBCLA
Flames burn uphill toward the Reagan Library in Simi Valley Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019.
NBCLA
Smoke and flames are seen during the Easy Fire Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
NBCLA
A water-dropping helicopter is seen through smoke from the Easy Fire in Simi Valley.
NBCLA
Fire lights up a hillside Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
NBCLA
A brush fire burned early Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 in Simi Valley.
Off of a road, firefighters battle flames from the Easy Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
NBCLA
Onlookers take pictures as firefighters battle flames from the Easy Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
NBCLA
Smoke rises from the edges of a road as firefighters battle flames from the Easy Fire on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019.
"Don't wait. Take the horses. As you can see, it's a huge ordeal to move horses," she said.
It's almost like deja-vu for Elvenstar, who faced a nearly identical problem in 2003, the Ventura County Star reported.
Daniels said the big problem volunteers are facing, despite their head-start, is that many of the horses had not seen a trailer in years, so they don't want to get inside and evacuate.
She also said it's not necessarily safe to let horses run free, because horses tend to run to what they consider is safe, such as a barn, even if it is on fire.
"Things prey on horses, they aren't predators, so a horse's instinct is to flee. The big thing horses want to do is just run away," she said. "The big problem is they consider the barns their safe zone -- that's home for them, so they just want to run home, even if it's on fire."
Daniels said a big concern for horses is they can suffer health ailments from the fire just like humans can, from upper respiratory infections to ash damaging their eyes.
The volunteers have placed fly masks on horses, which help to protect their eyes and mouth, she said.
Evacuees could stay at Thousand Oaks Community Center, located at 2525 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, California.
As of 4 p.m. PST, Ventura County Fairgrounds was accepting large animals in a limited capacity. Rancho Potrero Equestrian Center was full and not accepting any large animals. LA Pierce College was full and not accepting any more large animals. Earl Warren Showgrounds was also accepting large animals, according to Ventura County emergency services.
