Wildfires: rescue teams save countless lives

In what's been dubbed the "worst and costliest disaster in California history," merging wildfires scorched more than 800,000 acres and killed 20 people and countless wild animals in late October and early November. Veterinary volunteers and animal care organizations have stretched resources, giving selflessly to save as many four-legged lives as possible, officials report.

The number of animals, especially wildlife, killed by the worst fires in California history will never be fully tabulated. Veterinary volunteers worked round-the-clock to assist where they could.

The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) teamed up with the San Diego County Department of Animal Services and numerous other animal care groups to rescue more than 3,000 animals, mostly horses and livestock, threatened by fires, and continue to hunt for more.

The groups have successfully reunited hundreds of those animals with their owners, and the number continues to climb.

The downside is that the number of animals lost to the fires, especially wildlife, which often run into the fire, may never be fully tabulated, although sources say the number may range from hundreds to thousands.

"It's very, very sad," says Dawn Danielson, assistant director of the San Diego County Department of Animal Services, the lead agency coordinating the intensive animal rescue efforts. "A lot of animals you just have to turn loose. There's just no time. The fire is not there and five minutes later it's in your face. This is just horrendous."

In the wake of the wildfires, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) teams report they've found a variety of circumstances as they respond to rescue calls.

"Amazingly, some pets have been found that have escaped a completely burned out home. Incomprehensibly, some dogs were left chained or in fenced yards to perish in the fire or the nighttime cold weather," reads one prepared update.

Veterinary valor

Integral to the treatment of rescued animals were the numerous veterinarians contributing round-the-clock emergency care for injured and burned animals that were brought to staging areas by rescue teams.

Leading veterinary efforts was Dr. Terry Paik, veterinary disaster coordinator for the California Veterinary Medical Association and the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association, who says he's never seen such a disastrous chain of events.

"This fire is the worst fire we've had in California history," he says. "It's been worse than previous fires because of the complexity of the number of fires and the changing directions."

That said, Paik notes how the fires only ignited momentum in the number of veterinary volunteers offering their time to the rescue efforts for horses and livestock especially, along with small animals.

"I'm really impressed with their time and devotion," says Paik of the volunteer veterinarians who have dealt with and treated more than 1,000 horses and livestock.

He says they're primarily treating minor burns, coronary and respiratory problems. Many of the injuries were standard practice injuries such as trailer accidents, injured legs and colics.

"From the veterinary side, it's been an extremely well organized effort," says Paik, a livestock veterinarian. "Local veterinarians have jumped right in with both feet. Out of the confusion, the order has come."

VMAT not needed

Efforts on behalf of veterinarians were so well-organized, Veterinary Management Assistance Teams (VMATs) were not activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Paik, also a VMAT-4 administrative officer, says VMATs were not deployed as the local veterinary community was able to handle the crises. VMATs can be deployed in the event state and local resources are overwhelmed and federal assistance is required.

Danielson of the San Diego Department of Animal Services, can't say enough about how pleased her agency is with how "the veterinary community is really stepping up to the plate."

Early on in the wildfire spread, Pauline White of the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association, couldn't understand why she was unable to reach veterinarians to coordinate who may be available to volunteer. She was a step behind - she says many veterinarians had already contacted sheriffs and other officials to learn where animals were evacuated to and showing up to help.

"I am so truly proud of this community in all aspects of community rescue, not just veterinarians," shares White, a native San Diegan who remembers a significant wildfire in 1970 that pales in comparison to 2003. "The ball started rolling on its own, and the momentum picked up. Vets have risen to the occasion under the worst of circumstances."

While many other veterinarians may not be working "in the line of fire" so to speak, White says nearly every veterinary clinic in San Diego County has opened its doors to the public.

"They're almost all filled with animals boarding, or animals displaced, or animals with smoke inhalation or injuries," she says.

Counting losses

On Nov. 3, to assess losses, Paik sent a survey to large and small animal practitioners in the affected areas asking them to report numbers and species of animals euthanized and injuries treated as a result of the fires. He reports only six horses were euthanized.

At the same time, San Diego County had up to five teams assessing agricultural damage in the field. The county reports 3,000, week-old chicks were lost to temperature extremes as a result of a wildfire-induced power outage at a ranch in Potrero.

One rendering facility, D&D Disposal in Lakeside, reports it has picked up about 20 dead cattle, 30 dead horses (four were pregnant mares), 10 to 15 sheep, about 10 goats, about 20 chickens, a few pigs, a few dogs and a few emus.

Lakeside Rodeo Evacuation Center reports four goats had to be euthanized.

Reimbursement

The California Veterinary Medical Foundation (CVMF) has funds available to assist veterinarians with reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses used to help animals during the Southern California wildfires. Funding is limited to availability. Contact SDCVMA at (619) 640-9587 for a form.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has a related fund through the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to assist veterinarians for similar expenses for their services to the public and shelters as a result of the disaster. Funding is limited to a maximum $5,000 per hospital. Get forms at http://www.avmf.org/New/disaster%20relief.htm.

Giving opportunities

The executive board of the San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association has established a fund to aid veterinarians and staff who lost homes in southern California during the wildfires. To donate, contact Pauline White at SDCVMA at (619) 640-9587, or mail a check to SDCVMA Firestorm Veterinary Fund, San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association, 4620 Alvarado Canyon Rd Suite 15, San Diego, CA 92120.