Is the wild horse family trapped by fencing in the wildfire?

Today Grandma Gregg wrote to us with the following news:

Twin Peaks HMA Rush Fire on Rye Patch Road August 18, 2012 (Photo by BLM)

She said her daughter contacted Jeff Fontana, BLM public affairs officer, to tell the BLM the location where the wild horse family, known as Magic’s Band, lives. She expressed her concern they would be trapped in the fire due to the extensive livestock fencing and cross fencing throughout the area.

Here is Magic and his family living in harmony before the fire.

Magic’s family in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

 

Magic’s family in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

Magic – grey stallion – son and look-alike of the great herd stallion BraveHeart, who was captured with his family in the 2010 roundup.

Hope – Magic’s mare and true love as you can see in the pic

Harley – Hope’s 2 or 3 year old colt

Curley and Shiney, two bay bachelor stallions and great buddies (not pictured)

The BLM official assured Grandma’s family that the horses would be able to get out through the gates because the ranchers and firemen had been instructed to leave them open.

Grandma’s family is very concerned that the wild horse family will not see the open gates in the smoke and concerned they could get stuck in the unsafe cattle guards.  Many people are concerned Magic’s family would have been trapped by fencing while the fire rushed through the area.

She shared photos with us showing exactly where Magic and his family (eight horses total) lived before the fire went through the area this week.

Grandma took these photos last year standing in the same place at the top of the fenced “pasture” but looking in different directions.  She noticed fences everywhere in every direction–a trap.

View #1
There is no fencing in this photograph – this would be looking the direction (south) that the fire would have come up toward them – fences are behind and right and left – good pic that shows where the fire would have come from -wildfires normally burn fast UP hills so the fire would have back them right up to the fences.

View #1 of Magic’s family’s place in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

View #2

View #2 of fencing at Magic’s family’s place in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

View #3

Here is observation peak – per the fire maps this is ALL burned now.

View #3 of fencing at Magic’s family’s place in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

View #4

View #4 of fencing at Magic’s family’s place in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

View #5

View #5 of fencing at Magic’s family’s place in the Twin Peaks HMA, near Susanville, California. (Photo © Grandma Gregg, all rights reserved.)

As of Saturday night Grandma has not heard back from Fontana about the welfare of Magic’s band.

© Protect Mustangs

 

3 thoughts on “Is the wild horse family trapped by fencing in the wildfire?

  1. It is just insane that fencing like this has not been cleaned up and removed. God Bless the Animals in all wild fire areas across our country but especially those trapped by the lack of responsibility of those who are suppose to defend them and keep them safe!

  2. The Twin Peaks Wild Horse and Burro Herd Management Area is covered in fencing to accommodate the livestock permittees. These fences restrict natural migration, water resources, impact free-roaming behavior, restrict gene flow, and now have put the wild horses and burros and other wildlife in significant danger as the wild fire burns through their herd management area. The BLM is totally aware that the horses are fenced in to small areas throughout the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area as they manage them in what they call “Home Ranges” which correlate with the five major livestock allotments. Fencing is not good for the wild horses, burros or any wildlife that is trying to survive on our public lands.

    More information about the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area can be found at http://csus-dspace.calstate.edu/xmlui/handle/10211.9/1492?show=full

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