Oakzanita Ranch Saved

Oakzanita Ranch is an oasis in the aftermath of the firestorm thanks to the efforts of a heroic group from California Department of Forestry. Captain Matt Shannon and his crew (Jeremy Thomas, Robert Chesnick and Jacobb Burgess) CDF Engine 2676 Pondosa from Yreka, California, left a note apologizing for cutting down two trees by our propane tank and thanking us for having such a defensible home. Their chief Margy Marshall, the strike team leader in charge of three engines and their crews who risked their lives to save folks trapped in Cuyamaca State Park and happened to be in our neighborhood, came by to thank us for having our home save her crew. Pretty amazing when we are feeling overwhelming gratitude to them for saving our ranch with such obviously loving care.

Horses and folks started arriving on Sunday, the day after the fire started, from Eucalyptus Hills, Blossom Valley and Alpine. All our beds and some of our floors were filled. The lights went out, then the phones went down. Our fire watch friends on the Viejas Grade called at 2:00 a.m. with news that it was time to go and we started evacuating 53 horses early Monday, October 27. Several of our boarders had rigs ready to go, and we shuttled back and forth between Oakzanita Ranch and Pine Creek Stables in Pine Valley as we watched the flames coming down into Descanso.

The ominous smoke and shift of winds sent a group of us on to Manzanita Horse Camp and soon the rest of us followed with the assistance of Animal Rescue. Everyone helped to feed and water horses and all the people who found themselves in the blowing dust of Boulevard. Needed diesel and gas was available at the Casino.

Information as to the path of the fire left many of us certain our homes were burned. This fire had consumed neighborhoods; it was not likely that our individual homes could be saved. "Scouts" were sent every few hours to Sunrise Hwy for updates, with plans in place to move to El Centro if necessary.

Incredible news came that the ranch was still there. Thursday afternoon, with spot fires still burning,  and horse water provided by another crew of CDF, it took 7 hours to shuttle the horses home.   Bernie wanted to get on the other side of that fire and get folks home.

Power is provided by a generator, phones are still out, all our buildings are intact (including a barn full of hay). Some fences are down but all the horses have a home.

You'll find a list and more details to thank those on the "front lines", but please know that we offer heartfelt gratitude to all who helped directly and indirectly. Our hearts go out to all those who lost so much in this devastating fire.