Help pours in for evacuees who escaped fire with horses, other livestock

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KTVU) - The devastating fires in Northern California are hitting rural areas that are home to a number of ranchers and farmers.

Many of the evacuees have had to load up their livestock, transport the animals, and find a place to house them. 

Some are saying they lost everything but managed to flee the flames and bring their animals to safety. 

Many are bringing horses and other livestock to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa which is sheltering hundreds of evacuated animals, both large and small. 

And donations are coming in from people all over the Bay Area who want to help. 

The Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Tuesday announced it is working with the Clover Foundation and a coalition of 4-H and other groups to collect animal care supplies and bagged feed which will then be delivered to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Donations can be dropped off this week at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds located at 344 Tully Road in San Jose.

The San Francisco Police Department's mounted unit is also offering its help to displaced animals by sending hay to evacuated horses in Napa.

In Mendocino County, where the Redwood Complex fire has blackened at least 21,000 acres, evacuated animals are being taken to the Ukiah Fairgrounds.

Fair manager, Jennifer Seward, said on Monday the property is caring for at least 50 horses and 50 goats.