Fire Evacuation Activity - in 2002, Front Range Equine Rescue (FRER) was instrumental in evacuating horses during the Hayman Fire under the authority of Teller and Park County's animal control units. FRER was given responsibility for the direct care of over 130 animals at the Latigo Trails Heritage Center and provided feed to 6 other evacuation sites in Teller and Park Counties.

Photos from the Hayman Fire rescue effort:

	Some of the many rescued horses FRER cared for.
	Volunteers hard at work setting up holding pens.
	Smoke from the fires made rescues difficult as seen in this midday scene.
	Some rescued horses were found in poor condition.
	Supplies were always needed - FRER provided supplies to numerous evacuation sites.
	Fire fighting helicopters at work.

Hurricane Disaster Support - as the 2005 hurricane season developed, the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina (and Rita) impacted many horse owners. FRER offered assistance to rescue groups working frantically to help horses affected by these disasters. We shipped supplies and money to those on the front lines of the rescue effort.

• Check for trouble spots. If possible, keep hay stored away from the barn. If hay must be kept in the barn, store the minimum amount possible, at ground level, away from electrical wires. Open a bale each week to check for heat (in stored hay) and remove immediately if you feel heat.
• Keep rodents from chewing on electrical wire insulation by enclosing wires in metal conduits.
• Light bulbs should be enclosed in a metal mesh cage to prevent breaking.
• Install a smoke detector or heat detector above your haystack and check the batteries on a regular basis (use a smoke detector designed for agricultural use, not the type in your house).
• Remove all flammables, including paint, and store gas-powered equipment elsewhere (in a well ventilated area). Check the labels of horse care products for flammability and store them separately if needed.
• Remove empty feed bags, cobwebs, and loose hay at least once a week.
• Use only heavy-duty, industrial-rated extension cords, unplug and store them after each use.
• Heat is also generated from decomposing manure; keep it away from the barn.
• Keep fire extinguishers throughout the barn and inspect them regularly.
• Install ceiling sprinklers, especially over stored hay and your stalls.
• Institute a firm "no smoking" policy.
• Ensure all buildings have at least two easily accessible and unblocked entrances. Use all escape routes frequently so that your horses are used to them.
• Install taps and hoses in the barn which can shoot enough water as high as the roof; this is very important in rural areas where the fire department cannot arrive quickly.
• Ensure that your address is marked plainly and clearly on your mailbox, your house, or out front so that firefighters can easily locate you.
• Develop a fire evacuation plan and make sure that everyone who works with or lives on your property knows it.

• The ultimate responsibility for your animal's safety lies with you as the owner. The following are a few of the steps you can take to develop a disaster plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your animals is to evacuate them too.
• Know ahead of time where to take your animals if evacuation is necessary. Contact stables, riding clubs, fairgrounds, veterinarians, and rescue organizations about their ability to take in animals during an emergency. Check local hotels and campgrounds for your smaller pets.
• Familiarize yourself with different evacuation routes from your home to your safe destination.
• Try to have adequate trailer space for all of your livestock; inspect and maintain your trailers on a regular basis and keep your towing vehicle(s) fueled.
• Train your animals to load easily and quickly; seek professional training assistance if needed.
• Provide identification for all of your animals. If your livestock are not branded, you can spray paint your name/number on their sides, use a duct tape neck band, or braid a livestock ear tag with your information into your horses manes.
• Have photographs and other identifying information such as your Coggins test and brand inspection certificate in a safe place with duplicates available. Evacuated horses cannot be legally returned without proof of ownership.
• Have at least a 48 hour supply of feed with you (water may not be practical to carry, but if you can, do).
• Make arrangements with your neighbors to develop and practice emergency evacuation procedures. Set up a phone tree with each other for assistance if you are not at home when a disaster strikes.

• To receive updated information, tune into your local television or radio stations. Use 911 for actual emergencies.
• If possible, evacuate your animals before the emergency. Once a disaster starts, you may not be allowed to enter or re-enter the area.
• Remove horse blankets and make sure all animals are marked with proper identification. Take veterinarian records with you.
• Use wet towels or bandanas to protect your horse's eyes, ears, and nose. Nylon halters with metal can burn or melt if you are in extreme conditions. Cotton rope halters are best for fire emergencies.
• Protect yourself with long sleeved, cotton or wool shirts, long pants, hat, leather gloves, leather boots, and goggles, if available for eye protection. A dry bandana can be used as a mask.
• Close barn windows, stall doors, and entry doors after removing animals. Horses will run back into a burning stable.

• After a disaster, familiar landmarks and scents may have changed. Your animals may become confused so watch them when you first return home.
• Before returning with your animals, check your property for damage to fences or debris which could injure them.
• If you lose an animal during a disaster, check with veterinarians, humane societies, stables, and surrounding facilities which might have them. If you find someone's animal, quarantine it from your animals until the owner returns or a veterinarian has checked it.
• Use extreme caution when trying to help an unknown or frightened animal. Try to work in pairs when attempting to help them.