County provides assistance for animals in fire area

Animal Control Officer Harvey Beck feeds a pig while checking on animals in the Fairview Fire area.

Press release from Riverside County Animal Services:

HEMET -- Riverside County Animal Services responded to the Fairview Fire in the Hemet area on Monday evening and earlier today and assisted pet owners in need.

The fast-moving and fatal fire forced some horse owners to release their animals to prevent them from being hurt or killed. Two people perished Monday inside a vehicle while trying to flee the area.

Nearly 20,000 acres had burned as of Wednesday night. For evacuation notices and areas under mandatory evacuation orders and to get all the updates and details, please visit https://www.rvcfire.org/incidents/fact-sheets/FairviewFIRE.

Working in conjunction and with the direction from fire authorities, Animal Services officers checked properties early today for any injured animals and traveled throughout the evacuation zone searching for stray horses. Officers provided water and hay for several horses that had managed their way to other corrals in safer areas. The officers did not need to impound any horses. Later, an officer provided water and food for a potbellied pig and another officer provided water for a herd of goats.

Monday night’s impound count was light: 12 dogs, six cats and one rabbit. Those animals were cared for at the county’s San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus (581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto). An evacuated family picked up their two cats and one dog at about noon today.

Any pet owner that needs assistance with their pets can bring them to that shelter for care. Boarding fees are waived during emergency situations.

Animal Services Commander Josh Sisler worked alongside his team of officers during this morning’s assessments and assistance.

“This deadly fire illustrates why it is so important that pet owners have an emergency plan in place and to-go bags for themselves – and their four-legged friends,” Sisler said.