News
OKSAVEADOG Remembers the New Year’s Day Fire of 2006
September 06, 2008, 12:48PM MT
By Marti Lombardi
Rescuer manages to save all dogs but one by thinking on her feet in a crisis.
Rescuer manages to save all dogs but one by thinking on her feet in a crisis.
Kim Bowers at OKSAVEADOG in Prague, Oklahoma, has been rescuing various breeds of dogs for years, in all shapes and sizes. She has been fortunate to live in a rural area with space that accommodates the rescue, as well as her horses.
However, one day all that wide open space and rural setting worked against her. Oklahoma was experiencing its driest year on record. There had been many grass fires around the state shortly after Christmas, so everyone was on alert for smoke or other signs of fire.
On January 1, 2006, Kim laid down at 4:30 p.m. to take a nap before going to work later that evening. She glanced out the window and had a swift reaction - smoke! In fact, LOTS of smoke.
Kim ran outside to hose down wood, the roof, the hay, and other items. Then, she watched and waited. The wind was from the south going to the north, and so was the fire most of the day, so she felt all would be fine. Unfortunately, around 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. the wind shifted out of the west going to the east. A nearby house began to burn, so the wind bought the fire right towards OKSAVEADOG.
She knew she had to leave and debated what to do with the animals; the small ones would go with her and the large ones would remain where they were. While unhappy about leaving them, the truth was there was no where to put the large dogs or take them. Yes, they discussed moving them, but to where? If she threw open the gates, they could get run over by fire trucks or perhaps run in to the fire. The large dogs were in a spacious area on short grass, so Kim gambled they would not be burned.
By the time she debated and organized all this in her mind, she barely had time to grab the laptop, the small dogs, jump in the truck, and run. Kim picked up a camera and clicked behind her as she left the house for the truck, while the fire as coming across the road.
She observed for a time from down the road, but returned, leaving the small dogs in her truck - in case she needed to leave quickly again.
On her return, she quickly counted heads and all big dogs were accounted for. However, fire was already burning the trees, fences, and one of the three barns – the one closest to the horses. She started to douse fires with water from stock tanks, and managed to extinguish the barn fire. Soon, firefighters arrived.
Next, Kim came in to the house and found the roof burning, so everyone began working on the house fire. It appeared everything in the house was burned or received water damage. Unfortunately, the firefighters were soon back because a second barn caught fire – the one full of feed, hay, trailers, lawnmower, rototiller tools, and other equipment. Kim, her family, and firefighters tried to extinguish the flames; however, the fires had started back up everywhere. While this was going on, the large dogs were still outside, in the one remaining yard, but were agitated. As if this wasn’t enough, Kim indicated a cow was giving birth right next to the burning barn.
Sadly, the second barn with supplies burned to the ground. The next day, the only buildings standing were one barn and the house (barely). Kim experienced shock, but gathered herself together for the animals. She only lost one, a two-year old white German Shepherd named Shadow, who had been scared and ran in the wrong direction when she tried to corral them in the yard during the flare-up. All other dogs, cats, and cattle were safe. Kim believes that the single factor saving the dogs was that they were outside behind the house, which blocked a lot of the smoke. smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death of indoor fires; Shadow unfortunately had run in to the barn.
This was the house the day after the fire came through.
Planning and rebuilding began. First came the clean-up, and Kim and her son had to find a place to dump the remains of the barns and house,. Dump fees cost $3500, which was not covered by insurance. Once everything was torn down, they started building the barn so they had a place to store supplies. Next, they worked on the fences.
Managing the animals was possible, but not always easy. One small fenced area remained, where they all stayed, and Kim kept the numbers as low as possible. Kim ordinarily has between 30-60 dogs, but for this time period she limited herself to around 20 dogs. They lived in the burned house for about one month until they received an insurance check, after which she bought a travel trailer to stay in on the grounds. An article about the rescue was printed in the OKLAHOMAN newspaper around January 13, 2006. Many people sent donations of food and money; too many to even mention, and Kim was quite grateful. However, the job of dismantling and rebuilding fell solely on the shoulders of Kim and her family.
Meanwhile, adoptions and rescues continued, and Kim found homes for 30 animals the first half of 2006. She moved into the rebuilt home on July 16, 2006. This is what it looks like today.
During this time, Kim says she did receive bonus donations due to media coverage and word of mouth. She estimates the rescue received a total of about $4000. She says, “Very nice and a life saver; not enough to rebuild, but it certainly helped!” She further advises everyone to “UPDATE your insurance! I had just enough to cover the house to pay the mortgage. I had remodeled the house, had a new roof, windows, carpet, kitchen, furniture, more, none of which was insured!! I just never took the time, so everyone please do so!”
Kim reflects, “It was a long and hard process, and leaves a scar on your soul. I am better off today, but it is still not something I would wish on anyone!”
How You Can Help:
Over the past two years, there have been many stories of fires at rescues, shelters, and private properties were animals suffered. Earlier in 2008, Rocky Spot Dalmatian Rescue and Oklahoma Beagle Rescue had a brush fire come within ¼ mile of their facility. A fire prevention and evacuation plan should be reviewed and in place for everyone, to protect people as well as animals.
Related fire prevention articles:
Starting a Sanctuary
Preventing Barn Fires
Shelter Planners of America
OKSAVEADOG is a 501 c 3 and all donations gratefully accepted and acknowledge.
OKSAVEADOG is set up to have fund donations when you use Goodsearch.
If you are considering adopting an animal, check out the OKSAVEADOG web site for adoptable pets.
Written and posted by Marti Lombardi for the Oklahoma Community on the Best Friends Network. Kindly edited by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff. Pictures provided by Kim Bower.