Wildfires Affecting Wild Horses in the West
The following update is from American Wild Horse Preservation.
Raging wildfires in a number of western states are wreaking havoc on the land and wildlife alike. Sadly, wild horses are also being seriously affected by a number of fires. We are in touch with various BLM offices and other agencies to gather as much information as possible about how the fires are impacting wild horses and burros. In Idaho, sadly more than two dozen wild horses died when they were overcome by a fast moving blaze. Extensive fencing on public lands built to accommodate welfare ranchers, who use our public land to graze their cattle, always blocks the free movement of wild horses. However, in emergency situations like these, it tragically limits the number of escape routes available to them and other wildlife species. Please click below to read more about the fires affecting wild horses.
Warm Springs Fire, Oregon:
The 64,000 acre Warm Springs fire in Oregon has affected drastically impacted animals – including wild horses – on tribal lands. Our coalition partner, the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition (COWHC) is actively working on emergency relief efforts, including donations of hay. If you would like to donate to the COWHC, call 541-441-8165, or visit their website or their facebook page .
The Soda Fire, Idaho:
Twenty-seven wild horses died near Salmon Creek in the Hardtrigger herd management area, about 45 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho, when they were caught in the fast-moving Soda wildfire.
The horses were found by a team of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employees and a veterinarian who were checking the condition of two herds in the area. A gate was opened near the animals, but they were overtaken before they could escape.Additionally, two horses have been euthanized because their injuries were so extensive that they could not have survived.
Three wild horse herds are affected by the Soda fire. The Sands Basin herd has about 60 horses and the Hardtrigger herd has roughly 170 animals. The third herd management area, Black Mountain, was not damaged to nearly the extent of the other two.
As of August 21, 2015, this fire is 95% contained.
The Cold Springs Fire, Nevada:
The Cold Springs Fire started at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14. The fire is burning approximately 50 miles East of Fallon, NV, off the Carroll Summit Highway between Fallon and Austin in juniper trees and grass. Air and ground units are actively engaged in fire suppression activities. Investigators have confirmed that lightning was the cause of the fire.
The fire has been burning mostly in inaccessible steep and heavily wooded terrain in the Desatoya Mountain Range. This fire is in the vicinity of the Destoya HMA, but the BLM Carson City District says that gates are open for horses to leave the area, and that there have been no reports of horse injuries or deaths.
As of August 21, 2015 the fire is 90% contained.