Praying your house and animals make it through okay. We were evacuated at the start of the Sonoma county fires last October. Trying to get everyone and everything packed up at 2 am is not easy. Fortunately for us, our house was spared, although fire came very close twice, but saved by fire fighters lighting backfires. They were amazing.
Two things I want to share from my experiences... First, even after the immediate danger to your home is over, you may not be allowed back into the area for some time. We were not allowed to return until power was restored, 5 days after the fire was out in our area. Second, our county animal control officers were allowed into restricted areas, long before we were, to care for animals left behind. We called and got on the list for them to feed and water one broody hen that accidentally got left behind. They went in the same day I called and left notes for us detailing the care.
I still get emotional over the fact that with all the devastating loss everywhere, there was someone who cared enough and was willing to go look after a single grumpy broody.
I am so sorry for your losses. I don't think many of us are prepared to deal with this type of emergency. The fires move more quickly than can be imagined, and the chaos and fear when it gets close can be crippling. Emergency crews do their best, but even they can't always keep up with unpredictable wildfires. I had several hours notice that the fire was near, before mandatory evacuation was ordered, and even then it felt unreal and I struggled with how and what and who to take away, plus notifying neighbors and my elderly father who was in an evacuation zone as well.
You did well to get yourself out to safety and give your animals a chance to get away. It is heartbreaking.
