Evacuee who may have lost home awaits word on animals left behind

Sallie Lynne heard from a neighbor that her home on Aliso Canyon Road near Acton had burned down.

She waited this morning at a roadblock just a few miles from her residence, anxious to find out what had happened to the animals she left behind: a blind cow, two calves, 20 sheep and 50 chickens. Lynne, who was sitting in her truck at Aliso Canyon Road and Avenue Y8, was hoping authorities would allow her past the barricades.

“We just want to go up there and see how bad it is, and check on our animals,” she said.

She was evacuated at 4 a.m. Sunday but was allowed briefly back into her home, where she showered and grabbed some clothes. A neighbor later called to say her home had burned down but that her animals were fine. Lynne was still concerned they might have been affected by the smoke.

“I hope they’re OK in the short term, but there could be long-term effects,” she said.

-- Jason Song in Acton

Comments

[JahLove63]

As a fellow Californian residing in the north part of the state, I sincerely feel for my Southern Californian patriots. Living in a fire prone area, I have great sympathy for what the residents, evacuees, firefighters, and everyone else associated with this crisis is going through and I send positive vibes and thoughts your way!

[shosh]

G-d of Israel, blessed are you G-d who created heaven and earth, please bring comfort to those who have suffered loss. Please use this painful time L-rd to bring people to you. May this be the day of salvation for everyone caught in the fires and those who watch from a distance. Bashem Yeshua (in the name of Jesus) amein

[paula novelli]

I would never have left my animals behind. Chickens, cows whatever. Forget the shower, load the truck with the animals and go. I can't believe someone could drive away and look back and know your animals are still there.

[Lysette]

I agree with Paula. It is a tragic situation, yet shocking that a friend to animals would drive away knowing what was in store for them. If someone is a caretaker of wildstock then they must have some plan of action for evacuation in an emergency. Certainly they would have access to trailers, etc. I sincerely hope the animals survived. It seems rather miraculous given the burning down of the property. I hope this story does indeed have a happy ending.

[Amy]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who read this and thought, "You took the time to shower, but not to evacuate your animals?" I understand they can't just be tossed in the car like a cat or dog, but surely one who has livestock has the proper transportation equipment and a fire evacuation plan.