By Marie Naughton | Communications Director
During last month's Eagle Creek Fire in Oregon, Sound Equine Options worked closely with Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) and the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization Animal Multi-Agency Coordination Group (RDPO Animal MAC-G) to evacuate more than 500 animals in less than 24 hours.
“In the current wildfire response, SEO has stepped up without hesitation and proven themselves as a strong partner for MCAS and a great example of how the Animal MAC-G was designed to operate,” said Randall B. Covey, supervisor of Washington County Animal Services and active member of the Animal MAC-G.
Sound Equine Options began evacuating horses from its training facility in Troutdale, Monday, September 4, around 9 p.m., after a shift in winds brought a marked increase in smoke and ash. "I knew it was time to get prepared," said Kim Mosiman, executive director of Sound Equine Options. The training facility was later used as the staging area.
The fire exploded shortly after Mosiman moved their horses that night. The calls for help soon came pouring in after Multnomah County Sheriff's Office ordered a Level 1 (Get Ready) for the communities of Corbett, Latourell and Bridal Veil; Level 2 (Get Set) for East Corbett; and Level 3 (Go!) evacuations for the communities of Dodson and Warrendale.
Sound Equine Options volunteers worked all night Monday and all day Tuesday fielding calls for help, finding and dispatching trucks and trailers, and finding safe places to take the animals where they would be properly cared for and fed. Between 9 p.m. Monday and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sound Equine Options had received more than 600 phone calls, 1000 texts, and 500 Facebook messages.
"Our volunteers on the ground did the impossible," said Elisabeth Wolff, president of Sound Equine Options. "We had more than 75 people driving large trucks and trailers all night and all day long up and down the steep, winding, narrow roads of the gorge. The heat was exhausting, and the smoke and ash made it difficult to see and breathe in some places."
Nearly 150 animals were taken to the Clackamas County Fairgrounds and are being cared for by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Posse, a volunteer organization that works with the Sheriff's Office. The rest of the animals were taken to private stables and facilities across the metro area that volunteered to house them. About 35 horses were taken to the Oregon City BRN4D (Barrel Racers National 4D) Arena, which also took in horses evacuated from the 36 Pit Fire near Estacada, Oregon, in September 2014.
"This is our second fire evacuation experience with the good folks from Sound Equine Options," said Mike Gammelgard, president of BRN4D. "Their dedication and commitment to horses and all animals is unparalleled."
The horses from Sound Equine Options' training barn, along with several evacuated horses, were taken to Eagle Fern Equine Hospital in Estacada, where they are being cared for by volunteers and hospital staff. Eagle Fern Equine Hospital has been working with Sound Equine Options since 2010, evaluating and treating horses rescued by Sound Equine Options from neglect, abuse and abandonment.
"If you need to evacuate livestock, don't wait until Level 2 to get going. It might be too late by then to get to you." said Mosiman. "Frightened animals are difficult to handle, much less load into dark, narrow trailers. You never know how long it may take to get loaded and get out of there."
Video posted to Sound Equine Options' Facebook page shows volunteers rounding up horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, and pigs. Other animals were evacuated included cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and even fish and a couple of emus.
"I was speechless, tears flowing, covered in sweat, dust, and mud from pig wallows while still attempting to coerce seven 500-plus pound sows with five different litters of piglets," said Kyrie Eppley, whose animals were evacuated. "We have a stubborn pig, three smart ewes and two llamas who refused, regardless of the coaxing, to leave. Thank you to everyone who touched my life and the lives of these animals."
Sound Equine Options also assisted with the return of the animals when the mandatory evacuations were lifted and evacuation levels were downgraded to Level 1 more than a week later.
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