Horsemen Unite Against Fire

The White Mountains have changed dramatically. For over 65 miles along Route 260 the forests appear fallow and charred. Random islands of standing timber and lush vegetation give silent testament to the unpredictable nature of the Rodeo-Chediski fire.

The worst wildfire in Arizona history has done more to solidify the equine community than any other preceding event. No matter what the breed preference or riding style individual horse lovers, horse clubs, businesses and large corporations jumped to the aid of the rescued, displaced and homeless equines within reach of the monstrous fire.

Based in Show Low, the White Mountain Horseman's Association, Inc. (WMHA) was instrumental in the evacuation, placement and care of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. Members also coordinated the donation and distribution of feed and supplies necessary for this major disaster. They continue to organize and dispense necessary aid for affected equestrians.

In the spring of 2002 Navajo county emergency planners contacted WMHA asking for assistance if an equine emergency should arise. Matt Clarich (WMHA past president) collected names and numbers of members willing to help. The list included the size and type of trailer offered for hauling and places horses could be temporarily housed.

Just before noon on Wednesday, June 19, WHMA was notified of the possible evacuation. "Get ready, just in case" was the call that went out from Matt. Knowing he could not haul horses and handle the telephone, Matt asked WMHA vice-president Karen Vickery to match incoming calls for help with people willing to haul or care for horses.

When WMHA got the rescue rolling people from all over Navajo and Apache counties hooked up their rigs and headed for the west side of Show Low. Once the media issued the announcement WMHA members were joined by individuals, ranchers and professional horsemen, many traveling, almost an hour just to reach the scene. Over one hundred people volunteered to move horses and no one asked "who is paying us?" They came, loaded and transported. Getting the animals out was the only concern.

When the one-hour evacuation order was issued for the normally quiet communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, Aripine and Linden it turned into a mass of panicked animals, frightened owners and firefighting equipment. Hot ash, choking smoke and officials urging residents to hurry made loading animals very difficult and challenging.

Fools Hollow Ranches, a horse subdivision in Linden has only one road in and out. Evacuees steamed out as equines were being crammed into every possible mode of transportation. With the issuance of the evacuation order no one was allowed to go into the designated area, but resourceful local haulers used back roads and fields to get past the blockades. (Note: this is not recommended but seemed necessary that day).

Over 250 horses were moved out of harm's way in less than 2 hours. However it was impossible to remove all of the horses before authorities closed the roads. Many horses and cattle had to be abandoned in the evacuated areas. Some were turned loose, gates were opened and fences were cut, others were placed in fields with feed and water. A handful of people refused to leave, preparing to fight for their homes and horses.

Homeowners who remained in the endangered areas, firefighters and law enforcement officers cared for animals that could not be removed. Using feed left in barns and donated hay and supplies they kept the abandoned livestock fed and watered.

The scenario was repeated in Heber-Overgaard the following day (June 20) as those communities were evacuated.

Apache and Navajo county horsemen opened their doors to families and animals from the imperiled areas, some taking in as many as 25 extra horses. Horses and other large animals were relocated to the Taylor Rodeo Arena in Snowflake-Taylor area, Thunder Raceway in Show Low (until Show Low was closed), the Navajo County Fairgrounds in Holbrook, Crosswind Ranch in Concho, Springerville Rodeo Arena in Round Valley, The Equestrian Center in St. Johns and the Payson Rodeo Arena in Payson.

Each shelter had its own rules and regulations. Taylor Arena, Navajo County Fairgrounds and Crosswind Ranch took in animals, providing individual stalls, feed, fresh water and salt. Volunteers cared for the animals providing for their physical and medical needs. St. Johns offered donated feed and stalls but required owners to stay with their animals and care for them. About a dozen horses were housed at the Apache County Rodeo arena in Springerville while an estimated 200 camped with their owners in surrounding Round Valley, Payson?

On June 20 authorities placed Show Low, Pinetop, Lakeside, McNary and HonDah on a stand by alert, advising those towns that if an evacuation order was given they would have just one hour to leave.

Wise horse people immediately began arranging for removal of their livestock. Realizing her home would be inaccessible if the fire reached Lakeside one resourceful lady asked for a "ride out" when the first possibility of evacuation was mentioned.

Not every owner took advantage of the early warning. One stable manager waited until the actual order was announced, then asked for help to move a large number of horses. Reportedly this man sat in front of his television while concerned horsemen from St. Johns rescued his horses.

Local media coverage kept everyone well informed of the fire's progress. It was no surprise when the call to evacuate Show Low was issued early in the evening, Saturday, June 22. The one-hour notice was received for the Pinetop/Lakeside area later that night. WMHA dispatcher's lines went crazy as Karen connected haulers and horses. Animals and "their people" poured into private ranches and shelters.

It is estimated that Holbrook cared for 65 horses, over 85 at Taylor, 200 in the Round Valley (Springerville/Eager) area, approximately 100 in Concho, 80 in Payson and over 100 in St. Johns. There is no accurate way to determine the hundreds of horses that went to friends, relatives and private care. Many horse owners fled to open land, staying in tents and campers, while caring for their stock. Some took their animals and left the state. as far away as Michigan and Washington.

It was immediately apparent that feed and supplies would be a major concern. Most feed stores were located within the evacuated areas and the closing of major highways in fire area made it difficult to receive feed. Understanding the need individual horsemen across the state, hay growers, feed store owners and large corporations jumped in to help.

Horse lovers across the state collected supplies, banded together in caravans, circled around the fire and arrived north of the White Mountains. Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Arizona State Horseman's Association and countless equine groups across the state mobilized. They coordinated feed donations, arranged for shipment and distribution.

Massive loads of feed were dropped at each heavily populated shelter. Smaller loads were directed to ranches housing large numbers of animals. Individuals caring for displaced horses were able to go to the shelters and ranches to get feed and supplies for the animals in their care.

(Note: see next month's story on the donation/relief effort).

Smoke inhalation caused matted, weepy eyes, running noses, and dry coughing for humans and horses. Caretakers cleared eyes with saline wash and wiped noses and faces but there was no way to stop the problem until the smoke cleared. According to local veterinarian Tom White, there does not appear to be any long-term damage from the smoke. Colic was a problem due to stress and changes in feed and water. There are two confirmed equine deaths, both from unrelated trailer accidents.

Fire threatened areas were reopened slowly. The towns of Show Low (pop. 8,245) and Pinetop-Lakeside (pop. 3,582) were the first to return. They had been gone for a week and suffered no structure losses. After eleven days Linden (pop. 1,200), Clay Springs (pop. 550) and Pinedale (pop. 550) came back to 153 destroyed structures. Heber-Overguard (pop. 2,722) faced the loss of 295 structures after their two week evacuation. The tiny community of Aripine (70) was the first to leave and the last to return, 15 days away from home with 8 structures lost.

Volunteers with trailers took horses home from area shelters and ranches in the same manner they left. As residents returned they faced massive clean up and rebuilding chores. Reports continue to come in on the loss of property, burnt pastures, canceled forest grazing leases and missing animals. (Note: see story next month about moving forward after the fire, how evacuees were affected financially even without sustaining damage).

The Rodeo-Chediski fire is contained but it many not be completely extinguished until monsoon rains drench the forests. Most of the timberland remains closed to the public with drought conditions making additional wildfires a possibility. Firefighter and equipment remain a reassuring familiar sight.

The isolation caused by breed preferences, clichés, riding disciplines and geography vanished on June 18. In its place sits a wonderful caring conglomeration of individuals, groups and businesses that have given new meaning to the words, "horse community," A big Thank You from everyone in the White Mountains, we could not have done it without you.

For Additional Information Contact: Bonnie Jameson, President

White Mountain Horseman's Association, Inc.PO Box 3374

Show Low, AZ 85901 928-337-3413