Monatery Fire In Goldendale

The fire is 30% contained. There are close to 700 Fire Fighters working and several hundred more due to arrive shortly. The wind is a heavily contributing factor to the direction this fire takes.

Again, every possible effort is being made to prevent it from jumping to the West side of Hwy 97. If it jumps to the west side, there would be enormous consequences. Not only is the tiny town of Goldendale on the West side, but it is virtually all thousands of acres of highly explosive pine trees which catch fire rapidly, but because of the high sap content they explode and send the fire spreading rapidly in all directions.

Happy Tails is also West of the Hwy in a forested area. Our decision to evacuate will be only IF the fire jumps to the West side of the hwy, until then chores continue as usual.

Yesterday Happy Tails delivered a pick up load of food to the Fairgrounds for the evacuated dogs and we made emergency evacuation plans ourselves.

We have solid responsible Oregon Humane Society Angels who are standing by ready to loan crates to us if we need them, and wonderful volunteers ready to drive from Portland and Yakima to help us assemble them, run water hoses, and we have sufficient trailers to move our animals out if needed.

It's better to have emergency evacuation help and not need it, than to need help and not have it. We also had a place to take all of us, with the Rottweilers to a fellow rescue near Walla Wall. Happy Tails has stood by for her a couple of years when she had fires too close for comfort.

We've been communicating directly with the Red Cross on site, and the Prosecuting attorney who has taken a leadership position to help organize donation resources. An older gentleman arrived today with 80 Shar Peis. He is a person with a lot of dogs and cares for them, versus a hoarder who is unable to care for their animals. Isn't it better to see a lot of dogs well cared for than dead?

There are also horses, goats and llamas who could use hay contributions.

There will be some folks who have a continued need for food contributions. after the fire is contained, because they and their animals are now homeless due to the fire. No accurate numbers yet, but we are staying in touch daily regarding dog food needs.

There are also horses, llamas & goats who require hay contributions. There are photos taken of Happy Tails delivering food and of the evacuation center.