Wildfire evacuation

[kwhites634]

All this talk about evacuations & what to do about the pets just reminded me of something that a lot of serious bird dog field trialers have/had; myself included.....dog boxes either built onto small trailers or sitting on the sides of a pickup bed. I made the one I had...4 dog compartments (maybe 6; can't recall), each with a fully ventilated, lockable aluminum door. In a pinch, I've doubled up, hauling two dogs in a single compartment, from the East coast to the midwest.
These boxes can also be purchased from manufacturers, usually of diamondplate aluminum. Carry a few dogs and/or cats, a sizable flock of chickens, feed, water, whatever, inside, out of the weather during transport, with the full square footage of the truck bed available for other necessities, or more crates of small animals. Lots of pro trainers wouldn't be without one.
Just something to think about down the road.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Oh no! I am so sorry.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

All this talk about evacuations & what to do about the pets just reminded me of something that a lot of serious bird dog field trialers have/had; myself included.....dog boxes either built onto small trailers or sitting on the sides of a pickup bed. I made the one I had...4 dog compartments (maybe 6; can't recall), each with a fully ventilated, lockable aluminum door. In a pinch, I've doubled up, hauling two dogs in a single compartment, from the East coast to the midwest.
These boxes can also be purchased from manufacturers, usually of diamondplate aluminum. Carry a few dogs and/or cats, a sizable flock of chickens, feed, water, whatever, inside, out of the weather during transport, with the full square footage of the truck bed available for other necessities, or more crates of small animals. Lots of pro trainers wouldn't be without one.
Just something to think about down the road.

I think this is an excellent idea. We've talked about converting a small travel trailer, but talk doesn't rescue animals. I had time to do something and didn't.

 

[SeaHen]

All my maternal relatives are in Redding or the outskirts and I feel your anxiety. Last year we were in San Jose when my stepson and his pregnant wife were forced to evacuate from Sonoma due to the fires there, but they were among the fortunate ones whose homes were spared. I'm in Oregon now and don't take safety for granted anymore, but I'm still not sure what I would do or where I would go in the event of a catastrophic emergency like that. I've replayed the evacuation scenario in my head over and over and have come up with no clear answers in terms of how best to transport and protect my animals. Everyone should be prepared for disaster but how many are?

 

[oregonkat]

@Sunshine Flock Our thoughts and prayers are with you! This news of yours is devastating and I am so, so sorry. I hope your little road is spared and your animals are safe. Disaster planning is so hard to even think about, but, I am afraid that these temps. and fires are going to be part of our lives from here on out and we are all going to have to come up with plans to avoid complete disaster. Be well, friend and whilst I know that it doesn't make a hill of beans of difference for me to say it because we cant help but feel guilty, 'Don't beat yourself up too much, most importantly, you are safe as is your family and hopefully your animals will be too'

 

[kwhites634]

I think this is an excellent idea. We've talked about converting a small travel trailer, but talk doesn't rescue animals. I had time to do something and didn't.

I had an old Starcraft pop-up with leaky canvas that I had every intention of turning into a dog trailer, but it never happened.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I have found that one of the best ways to get information and connect with helpful good samaritans during a wildland fire or other natural disaster is through Twitter. The #carrfire hashtag includes up to date information on shelter locations for people and animals as well as private individuals who have opened up their homes and barnyards to evacuees. I see people north in Alturas and south in Chico offering space for people and animals. I see a number for a horse evacuation center. I'm not sure if you're a Twitter user or not, but we lived through the Rough Fire three years ago and that's when I realized how helpful it can be in getting minute by minute updates from emergency personnel and private citizens on the ground. Best of luck to you. It's a vicious fast moving fire and I'm glad you understand the danger of spot fires. For those who don't know, wildfires don't just spread along a smooth boundary. They leapfrog and send embers to start spot fires up to three miles away. It's terrifying how quickly they move and change direction.

ETA: I did not see your updated post as I was writing this. I am so terribly sorry you didn't have time to save your flock. But I'm exceedingly happy to hear you evacuated yourself, your family and some of your other pets safely. In a deadly fire like this, even the best laid plans can go sideways very fast. Don't be hard in yourself. I'm glad you're alive.

 

[lena_]

I'm so sorry that you didn't have time to get your flock, that is devastating. Do you have any ideas (after the fire is controlled of course) when you'll be back home? My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Stay safe and good luck.

 

[townchicks]

I'm sorry to hear that you had to leave, and leave the chickens and some cats behind. Some times when you only have a few minutes to get out, you just do the best you can. Even with a plan, sometimes there just isn't enough time. I know I would probably have a hard time catching my 2 EE girls and they just might have to stay behind. My cat can also be very elusive, and she is indoor only. After the Napa and Sonoma fires there were some amazing stories of animals surviving. Hopefully the fire will miss your house and the animals will be fine.

 

[Kiki]

I am absolutely devastated to announce this, just totally crushed. I'm here in the forums, offering help where I can and encouraging preparedness, but did I prepare for the inevitability of wildfire and evacuation?

NO.

When we saw a massive wall of fire crest a ridge behind our home and rapidly burn down that mountain, and heard exploding propane tanks like we were in a war zone, we stopped what we were doing, grabbed five of our eight cats, the four dogs, and evacuated.

And now in this extreme heat and with a fire storm raging out of control, my darling flock is there all by themselves. They have tons of water and food and some shade shelter, but stupid me should have left the gate open so they can shelter under the deck from the heat. They've been doing that all summer.

I called the sheriff's office and requested someone go and get our cats and chickens, or at least open the door to the chicken yard. But with thousands evacuating, that's not going to happen. Somehow, so far anyway, our teeny dead end road has escaped fire. I don't know how that's even possible.

I'm near Simmons Road off of Placer. You can look that up on a map if you're interested in tracking this fire. The entire road above Buenaventura has been blocked. If you leave, you can't go back.

Please pray for my animals. I let them down. I had time to do something, but based on what I was learning about the fire, we thought we had time to prepare. We didn't.

Thank you.