Large pigs evacuated from Canyon Country sanctuary as Tick Fire burns nearby

Thursday, October 24, 2019
CANYON COUNTRY, Calif. (KABC) -- After countless excruciating minutes, a group of volunteers successfully evacuated two large pigs from a Canyon County facility Thursday afternoon as the Tick Fire burned nearby.

A group of nearly a dozen people worked to shepherd one of the large animals onto a trailer so that it could be taken to safety from the Gentle Barn Animal Sanctuary. They eventually managed to guide the pig into the truck and then scrambled to close the truck's gate to prevent it from escaping back into the facility.

Large pigs evacuated from Canyon Country sanctuary as Tick Fire burns nearby


The sanctuary's second pig was loaded onto a trailer shortly after.

Large pigs evacuated from Canyon Country sanctuary as Tick Fire burns nearby


The Gentle Barn Animal Sanctuary houses animals that have been abused or neglected and are too sick or hurt to be adopted out. In addition to two pigs, the sanctuary also houses cows, goats and sheep, among other animals.

The massive fire broke out before 2 p.m. in the area of the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road just south of Summit Knoll Road. With strong Santa Ana winds and dry brush, it spread quickly as it burned downhill in medium to heavy brush. It had spread to at least 3,700 acres by 5:30 p.m. and prompted hundreds of evacuations.
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