The recent fires, the Crown Incident and Briggs Fire, threatened local animal rescue centers, calling for large evacuations.

The Villalobos Rescue Center, located in Agua Dulce, is home to 175 pit bulls, 20 wolves, and 3 bears.  Tia Torres, founder of the Villalobos Rescue Center, reported that evacuators below the road block were not allowed through toget the animals.  A ranch owner on Sierra Highway, located above the barrier, helped Torres evacuate the animals in his horse trailer.

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Torres remained on the property overnight with some of the animals they were unable to evacuate.  Volunteers with the Rescue Center helped firefighters as the fire approached the property.  Inmates from the fire camp were on site this morning putting out hot spots.  No animals were lost and the Rescue Center suffered no significant damage.

The Brittany Foundation, a rescue center for 60 homeless dogs, was evacuated yesterday afternoon.  Nancy Anderson, Founder of the Brittany Foundation, reports that all of the dogs were successfully evacuated and are returning to the Brittany Foundation’s facilities this morning.

Anderson requests donations to help with boarding fees and water for the dogs.  One dog is being treated for illness resulting from stress.  To help, call Anderson at (661) 713-5240.

The Shambala Preservation on Soledad Canyon Road, founded by Tippi Hedren and home to 70 exotic “big cats,” was not harmed by the Briggs Fire.  A representative from the Shambala Preservation reported that they were not evacuated.  The County of Los Angeles Fire Department Incident Commanders reported the Briggs fire was knocked down at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.  Approximately 530 acres were burned.