By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-10 16:55:19 | Updated at 2025-01-10 20:59:26
4 hours ago
An equestrian center in LA's famed Griffith Park has become the safe haven for over 300 horses and donkeys as horrific wildfires continue their rampage across southern California .
The Eaton Fire which has destroyed more than 10,000 acres, hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of people, has also wreaked havoc on the large equine population of Altadena and Pasadena, northwest of LA.
More than 300 horses and donkeys have arrived at the center in the past two days, a worker at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center told DailyMail.com exclusively.
'It's like a war zone up there from what I hear. Everyone forgets when you have to evacuate an area, there are hundreds of domesticated animals you have to deal with.
'We have horses that were brought in by their owners who had to evacuate, we have horses that ran away from their property during the fire and were roaming the streets and then corralled by animal control.
'We are running short on supplies, so we are accepting donations. Anything will help,' the worker pleaded.
But with supplies dwindling, the center is also encountering another problem: identifying owners and trying to figure out how to contact them.
'For about half of the horses we have we have identified the owner, but there are others we have no idea who owns them and we're are waiting for the owners to reach out to us,' the employee said.
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center has become a safe haven for horses and donkeys amid the raging LA wildfires. Here, local Sarah Cannon was reunited with her horse Cleo
More than 300 horses and donkeys have arrived at the center in the past two days
The Eaton Fire that has destroyed more than 10,000 acres, hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of people, has also wreaked havoc on the equine population
'All of the horses are being cared for and are all housed in their own stalls. Horses that appear to have medical issues or who have been injured in the fire are being checked out by a veterinarian.'
The employee said they're administering a system using blue masking tape to categorize the horses' names and owners.
Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show dozens of rescued horses in their stalls and even some touching moments of being reunited with their owners.
Sarah Cannon, who worked at Rose Bowl Rider in Pasadena, told DailyMail.com that they had to evacuate several of the horses they own and board.
'We got the evacuation order to leave and we left. We have three horses at the LA Equestrian Center,' she said as she was reunited with her horse Cleo.
Horse owner Tim Olausen, 41, recalled his harrowing experience on saving his 21-year-old horse, Nash.
'About 10pm yesterday we got the evacuation order to leave. I grabbed my dog, cat and horse,' he said with tears in his eye, looking clearly worn out.
'I heard the Rose Bowl stadium was an evacuation location for horses, so I decided to take Nash there.'
The equestrian center is dealing with supply shortages as more animals come in and are struggling to identify the owners of lost horses
Cannon, who worked at Rose Bowl Rider in Pasadena, left her home with her three horses - including Cleo - once they got the evacuation order
An employee told DailyMail.com the center is administering a system using blue masking tape to categorize the horses names and owners
Two friendly looking donkeys took refuge at the equestrian center. Many of the animals were found fleeing the fires by animal control and brought here for safety
Not able to drive out of his area, he decided to make the five-mile walk with his animals and small firesafe in tow.
'It's all a blur,' he said. 'I left around 10PM and arrived at the Rose Bowl a few hours later.
He said he wasn't sure the path he took to get there due to the Santa Ana winds pounding the Los Angeles area.
'I walked beside my horse because the wind gusts were so strong and I did not want to put any extra weight on her.'
They miraculously made it to Rose Bowl, several hours later.
Olausen was able to leave his 21-year-old horse there and personnel transported it the dozen miles to the equestrian center.
DailyMail.com was present for Olausen's reunification with Nash. Overjoyed, he fed her carrots.
'The vet is going to come by later this afternoon to check him out. I have no idea how long he is going to be here; I've been told he can stay as long as needed.'
Horse owner Tim Olausen, 41, battled harrowing odds to get his animals to safety - going on foot with his dog, cat and 21-year-old horse Nash they trudged through thick smoke and miraculously made it to Rose Bowl stadium
Nash was reunited with Olausen and the owner affectionately fed him carrots. He said a vet was coming later that afternoon to check him out
Olausen said he has no idea what his next steps are as he was told his barn and house is gone. But was thankful his animals were safe and that he had fire insurance.
Sharon Gray, 66, owner of Eaton Dam Stables, said that all 35 horses they owned and board are safe.
But one horse of hers, Claire, an 18-year-old mare, was singed in the fire.
Gray said: 'Firefighters let out all of the horses when they were told to evacuate, and several of them scattered.
'But I couldn't find, Claire, I looked all over for her for several hours and finally found out that she went back into her stall seeking shelter.
'When I saw her, I could not believe eyes, she had been singed by the fire. Her left eye was swollen, the hair on top of her head, her nape, area around her legs and her stomach area all were singed.
'She was covered in soot and the smoke made it difficult to breathe.'
Gray said all of the horses were then safely transported to the equestrian center where they all are doing great.
Sharon Gray, 66, owner of Eaton Dam Stables, said that all 35 horses they own and board are safe, but had a close call with her horse Claire
Gray looked for her 18-year-old mare for hours before finding discovering the horse had gone back to its stall to seek shelter - Claire had been singed by the fire on the hair on top of her head, her nape, area around her legs and her stomach area, her left eye was also swollen
Claire appears to be on the mend and even though Gray has lost both her home and barn, she said she was thankful her horses were able to make it out alive
And Claire appears to be on the mend.
'We are going to wash down Claire later today with a hose and with some TLC, she's going to make a full recovery.'
Gray said her home and barn are gone but remains thankful that her horses were able to make it out alive.
'I'm just glad all of the horses are safe, buildings can be replaced, our horses can't be.'
The Sunset Fire that raged across 43 acres in the Hollywood Hills has been contained, according to LA Mayor Karen Bass.
But the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fire continue to blaze.
And their devastating damage have caused almost $50billion of economic losses as 2,000 buildings have been flattened by the blaze, according to JPMorgan Chase
This estimates comes as LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley admitted at a Thursday press conference that the Palisades Fire may have been started deliberately and that arson investigators had been deployed.
