Rescuers Save Horses amid Flames and Flying Embers During L.A. Fires: 'We're Not Going to Let Them Burn'

01/09/2025 05:19 PM

A live news report that captured the rescue on camera shows people leading three horses through the Eaton Fire

Shocking footage from the ongoing California wildfires shows resident risking their lives to rescue several horses while the area around them is engulfed in flames.

In a FOX 11 Los Angeles broadcast, Altadena residents scramble to safely lead horses away from a barn near the Eaton Fire. In the clip, the entire hillside in the background of the video and both sides of the street appear to be on fire.

Related: L.A. Fires Live: Death Toll Unknown, Officials Now Say, as Blazes Continue to Burn Through the Region

The reporter in the news video, Gina Silva, wears goggles and an N-95 mask and is shown dodging still-lit embers swept around by strong winds. In the footage, as a few firetrucks arrive at the scene, Silva notices two people and several horses coming up the street from behind flying sparks.

Though embers and flames surround the horses in the clip, the animals follow their rescuers and trek on toward Silva, who asks the horse rescuers how many more animals still lie behind the smoke, looking for help.

"We have a couple we just let loose over there," says one of the rescuers, who has his sweatshirt up over his nose and mouth. "We're trying to get as many as we can out."

"We're not going to let them burn," the person leading two horses adds.

Related: See the Most Dramatic, Terrifying Photos of the California Wildfire Devastation

He continues, saying that he didn't notice if homes had caught fire because "I just drove straight to the barn to try and get my horses out, get the rest of these guys out."

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The other individual holding a horse and speaking with Silva says they don't know how many horses were left in the barn and surrounding area, but says, "There's a bunch in there still," before estimating about 12 horses remain in need of help.

The clip ends with the horse rescuers leading the animals out of the burning area while Silva stays behind to share more information.

The wildfires started spreading across areas of Los Angeles County on Jan. 7, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, leading to mandatory evacuation notices for over 130,000 residents. The Eaton Fire, which is affecting communities east of Los Angeles, like Pasadena and Altadena, is now an estimated 10,600 acres in size.

Humane has taken in over 300 pets displaced by the Eaton Fire, including numerous animals covered in burns. The shelter is transferring healthy pets to other California shelters to make room for more animals injured by the wildfires.