Firefighters Rescue Farm Animals While Battling California Wildfires

Firefighters battling wildfires in southern California went above and beyond in a desperate bid to save farm animals caught in the path of the destructive flames.

About 100 chickens, ducks and geese, along with two goats, were left as fire ripped through Toro Canyon last Monday, destroying a home and coming dangerously close to the animal enclosure, KCOY-TV reported.

The animals had no food or water left when firefighters arrived at the scene.

“Went into Carpinteria a little bit ago, to the feed store, and bought some feed for the chickens and pellets for the goats,” firefighter Jay Walter told the television station. “And brought a bunch of water up the hill to make sure the animals have water and are looked after until their owners can get back here.”

Authorities initially planned to move all the animals, but the birds proved difficult to herd.

Instead, the ducks, chickens and geese were sheltered in place and are being checked on and fed on a regular basis.

The goats were transported to the Earl Warren Showgrounds, where about 550 other evacuated animals are being kept, according to KCOY-TV.

RELATED STORIES