In addition to humans, hundreds of animals are being evacuated from the Caldor Fire zone in El Dorado County.
The Caldor Fire burned nearly 69,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Thursday night, according to CAL FIRE. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes, and the agency estimated over 6,900 structures are threatened by the fire.
El Dorado County Animal Services said it has taken in over 500 since the fire broke out this week, including some 300 pets.
Those range from cats to tortoises. Smaller animals are being cared for at a shelter in Diamond Springs, but livestock have been taken elsewhere.
"We have two large animal facilities that are currently caring for animals," Henry Brzezinski, the county’s animal services director, told KCBS Radio. "We've closed down the Amador County Fairgrounds because we're over maximum capacity, and we've just opened up a secondary large animal facility."
El Dorado County officials are sending out trailer teams to bring in livestock trapped in the wildfire's path. In many cases, neighbors are already helping one another get their animals to safety.
Brzezinski advised anyone asked to evacuate to have plenty of food and water for themselves and their animals.
"If your animals have medications, just like humans, make sure you take them with you," Brzezinski said. "Identification is important. Microchipping is another resource in case your animal gets away."
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