Flying into California’s fire-ravaged San Diego area was shocking to Allen Schwartz, a consultant with disaster services and an equine specialist with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). He said the scene reminded him of Hurricane Katrina’s ravaging of the Gulf Coast region in its widespread impact on the landscape. “It’s like Katrina with fire,” he said. Schwartz will assist in small and large animal rescue during the massive Southern California wildfires. Schwartz does not use that analogy lightly, as he was on the ground for weeks in Louisiana and Texas performing animal rescues after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Schwartz said 100 volunteers with the HSUS group are flying in to California at the request of San Diego Animal Control. “Everything is under incidence command,” said Schwartz, meaning “outsiders” must work under a chain of command of local authorities. “We need to all go through proper channels,” he stressed.

He said the local humane groups are asking the large national humane groups to “send everything you have” to help respond to the crises caused by the fires. He said one rescue person told him Fiesta Island had horses that were safe, but lacked shelter. 

As The Horse team learns of how to assist the horses and other animals and their owners affected by these wildfires, we will share those needs with you. Hay will probably be in demand, as will simple things like breakaway halters and cotton lead ropes. With more than 300,000 residents evacuated, hundreds of horses evacuated, veterinary hospitals evacuated, and the inability to get veterinary help into stricken areas because of fire danger with the current high winds, it is unknown what will be needed in the future