Dozens of horses killed by California fires
At least 54 animals have died, according to authorities and death toll will probably rise
The fires sweeping through southern California, destroying property and threatening human lives, have also killed at least 54 horses, according to the authorities.
The California Horse Racing Board said Thursday at least 25 horses were killed and at least three people were injured when a fire burned through eight barns at the San Luis Rey training centre in Bonsall, in San Diego County. The area, near the county’s northern border, is known for its equestrian facilities.
Wildfires fanned by sustained Santa Ana winds continued to wreak havoc across southern California on Friday as blazes in Los Angeles, San Diego and Ventura counties destroyed more than 500 structures, sent 212,000 people fleeing and left thousands without power.
In northern San Diego County, the Lilac fire continued to burn Friday, holding at 1,600 hectares from the night before with no containment. At least three people were injured. At least 85 structures have been destroyed, including several mobile homes, authorities said Friday.
Mike Marten, a spokesperson for the racing board, said in an interview Friday that the death toll was likely to rise.
Earlier this week, 29 horses were killed by the Creek Fire at a ranch in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley, according to the Department of Ani- mal Care and Control in Los Angeles County.
The department said it arrived at the ranch Tuesday morning and found a barn burning, its roof collapsing. Its officers retrieved two horses and a puppy, then returned to the barn to rescue four more horses.
Flames blocked their entry. Additional officers arrived and they were eventually able to rescue more horses, breaking padlocks on stalls to get them out. The department took three horses to nearby Pierce College, where one was euthanized because its injuries were so severe.
San Luis Rey serves as a hub for trainers and others shuttling among the courses of the region’s racing circuit — Del Mar, Santa Anita Park and Los Alamitos Race Course.
Video from the San Luis Rey fire showed pandemonium as horses scrambled free, kicking dust into the air as flames began to encroach on the property. Nearly 500 horses were at the training centre when the fire hit, and Marten said at least three people were injured while trying to rescue them: two trainers, Joe Herrick and Martine Bellocq, and a rider whose name he did not yet know.
The Stronach Group, a track operator, was working with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to raise money to help those affected, as was the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation.
Horses rescued from the fire at the San Luis Rey training centre were taken to Del Mar racetrack, where between 800 and 850 horses have taken refuge from the fire.
A spokesperson, Annie Pierce, said the people dropping them off ran the gamut from individual owners to farmers and ranchers.
“It’s been really heartwarming to see as a lot of them come in because they’re just so appreciative to have a place to bring their animals,” she said. With files from the Los Angeles Times