Taylor Bridge Fire

Thank You to all the people who responded and helped during the evacuation efforts in the wake of the Taylor Bridge Fire. Volunteers generously offered their support and time throughout this huge endeaver to save people and animals in the Ellensburg and Cle Elum areas. This fire grew to 800 acres in the first hour and to 22,000 by day two, racing across the area at 30 miles an hour.

Many people only had time to grab their keys and the family dog or cat and get out. They have lost everything that they had to leave behind, their home, their keepsakes, their belongings and in some cases their livestock and pets. Some only had time to cut their fences in the hope that their animals could race to safety. Some are still waiting anxiously to get back to their residence to see what remains.

Area residents came from all over the valley with trucks & trailers, picking up any animal they found and transporting them to the Kittitas Fairgrounds for safety. More than 500 Horses, goats, pigs, sheep, turkeys, donkeys, mules and various other livestock have been saved. Volunteers worked diligently 24 hours a day to save as many animals as possible and to care for them afterwards. Donations to the rescue effort have been wonderful. Our Veternarians, our Firefighters, our Community has been wonderful.

As of 8/25/2012 Update:  Thank you to all the wonderful people that donated their time, labor, feed, equipment and/or expertise for the animal fire victims. We are very grateful for you and your support. The lost of animal life was very minimal and all evacuated animals have been returned to their homes. People can now start to rebuild their homes and lives. And from RCER, firefighters ROCK!!!