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Confused and terrified horses were scrambling while an evacuation was underway from the wildfires near Simi Valley, California.
News footage of handlers trying to evacuate their horses and their trailers to the Ventura County Fairgrounds early Wednesday morning revealed the chaotic scene.
As the wildfire raged on near the Ronald Reagan Library, around six disoriented thoroughbreds without handlers were found near a closed road.
The animals were trying to figure out which direction to flee through the thick smoke.
However, one thoroughbred ran towards the flames to save its family, including a colt.
The emotional moment was caught on video.
From the #EasyFire in Simi Valley - this thoroughbred goes back into the blaze to get his family. Not all heroes we… https://t.co/a1KSJSShJ1— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@Rex Chapman🏇🏼)1572461060.0
There were conflicting emotions as the catastrophic fires prompted outrage and resentment.
However, people couldn't help but be moved watching the video of this brave horse.
@RexChapman @Okiemom50 We weren't supposed to be finding this kind of video cute!!! We were supposed to be worried… https://t.co/RtuTquqacl— Jeny. (@Jeny.)1572467079.0
@CBSLA Did you see the parent went back for the baby and mate omg my heart 🥺🥺🥺❤️😔— Rosey 🌹 (@Rosey 🌹)1572455587.0
WATCH: Several horses were trying to run to safety to escape the Easy Fire, which exploded amid extreme red flag co… https://t.co/mHEuvx5DUd— CBS Los Angeles (@CBS Los Angeles)1572452399.0
@CBSLA Poor things they must have been terrified. Hope they all got out ok— Kp (@Kp)1572474016.0
@CBSLA This is heartbreaking, but I think the news crew is actually helping by broadcasting video of the ranch and… https://t.co/zvdAiF9SG7— Stephen Wilde (@Stephen Wilde)1572466954.0
Animals deserve more credit.
@RexChapman Animals are amazing!— Jay (@Jay)1572468850.0
@RexChapman A dog would have rescued its family, and then put out the fire.— KraigMcMuffin (@KraigMcMuffin)1572461718.0
During a time of crisis, nothing comes between family.
@RexChapman Homeboy was like, “help me or move the F out the way...MY FAMILY IS IN THERE!!!”— Jason Chand (@Jason Chand)1572467535.0
@jasontchand @RexChapman Mama was like...— drn (@drn)1572483098.0
@RexChapman @BitsieTulloch Horses are incredibly family-oriented. Which is yet another reason why @BLMNational ’s c… https://t.co/QCCdlPOXFs— Melissa BOO👻Peltier (@Melissa BOO👻Peltier)1572499358.0
It appears all the horses were led to safety.
@jadansteph @CBSLA They did! It was heartbreaking at first but passersby kept pitching in to help. One young lady k… https://t.co/PA8k64lpnN— MaryMary (@MaryMary)1572483244.0
@CBSLA Micaela & Lasso Guy & all of these wonderful people who stopped to lead these horses to safety are heroes! S… https://t.co/B6QG0VN6o4— MaryMary (@MaryMary)1572453700.0
Handlers returned with trailers to rescue more horses after unloading theirs off at the fairgrounds.
Peggy Lane of Reseda, described the scene:
"Just get the ones we can get and get out."
"It's super bad in there. I've never seen it like this."
According to
USA Today, Ventura County Animal Services officials declared the livestock area full by 2 p.m., with more than 112 horses filling the area.
Additional horses were taken to the Humane Society of Ventura County in Ojai.
Billed as "The Easy Fire," the vegetation fire erupted around the 200 block of West Los Angeles Avenue, prompting evacuation and schools to close as it spread to approximately 1,648 acres.
Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen told ABC 7 that residents should remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
By 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, he said:
"We still are not through this. We have another 24 hours of significant weather conditions and a lot of threat. Please stay aware, stay tuned and always be ready with a plan."
Horses have always been popular in films. The true story of a race horse named Seabiscuit is available here. The Elizabeth Taylor film National Velvet joins the movies The Story of Seabiscuit with Shirley Temple and Black Beauty in a triple feature, available here.