All animals accounted for at Safari West amid fire

UPDATE: "We're not in the clear yet. A recent update suggests that fires burning near Safari West are again moving toward the preserve. Please continue to stay well clear of the area so emergency services can respond. We will continue to do our best to keep our friends and supporters apprised of the situation at Safari West. Stay safe out there everybody."

Many viewers have reached out to KTVU with concerns about animals at Safari West, a 400-acre private wildlife preserve, near the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa.

KTVU has learned that all animals have been accounted for. According to the Oakland Zoo, Safari West Animal Curator Marie Martinez said some staff were able to check on the animals around 11 a.m. Monday. They were able to confirm all animals are accounted for. The animals are being assessed and could be impacted by smoke inhalation. 

Erin Henderson with the Oakland Zoo says staff is on standby to see if evacuation help or veterinary care is needed. 

Fire crews are putting out hot spots and at this point it appears the danger is over, according to the zoo. 

Safari West posted on its Facebook page, "While the situation remains dynamic and very dangerous, we have received word that the Safari West Wildlife Preserve appears to have weathered the worst of this firestorm. The situation is still very much active and could take a turn, but for the moment, it looks like our preserve and our animals are ok."

Henderson tells KTVU Safari West was evacuated around 11 p.m. Sunday night. She said the guests and staff were evacuated, and the staff took as many animals as they could in their cars. The animals the employees were table to evacuate were mostly birds, according to Henderson. 

Related: Gov. Brown declares state of emergency because of wine country wildfires 

We'll update this story as we learn more.