Mosquito Fire
Project Overview
On September 6, 2022, the Mosquito Fire erupted in Placer and El Dorado counties. The blaze spanned into 75,000 acres, destroying and damaging structures in its path. Over 9,000 homes were collectively threatened by the fire. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued in the communities of Volcanoville, Georgetown, Bottle Hill, Stumpy Meadows, Slate Mountain, and Cool. Placer County Sheriff’s Office also issued evacuation orders and evacuation warnings for the communities of Michigan Bluff, Baker Ranch, Crystal View Road & Bath Road, Foresthill, Todd Valley, Sky View Spring Garden, and Yankee Jims. FieldHaven Feline Center closely monitored the situation and housed evacuated animals from the fire.
With the Mosquito Fire extinguished, we saw our last evacuee cat, Bunny, out on September 25, 2022. During the emergency, we proudly kept over 85 cats and kittens safe and loved so their families could take care of themselves while being evacuated and during the subsequent return to their homes. Our team consisted of dozens of volunteers, ranging from FHAST to cat care to vets and more! Thanks to our tireless volunteers, our furry evacuees were reassured, coddled, and observed. In just a few days, we learned what kind of food they liked, whether they needed a curtain over their cage, if loud noises bothered them, and how they like to be pet or brushed, among other observations. The Community/Cat Assistance Team (CAT) monitored and managed phone calls and texts, emails, and social media inquiries to maximize the number of people we could help. We are grateful who our generous donors who contributed much-needed supplies. A special thank you to donor Frank, who donated his house so we had a place to care for the evacuees.
Posts
Day 8 of the Mosquito Fire
By Joy Smith, executive director On September 6 at 6:35 PM, my phone dinged with the now-familiar Watch Duty alert of a new fire. The Mosquito Fire sparked on the border of Placer and El Dorado Counties. At 7:00 PM, it was noted to be 4-5 acres. This scenario plays out several times each week […]Resources
Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Cats
FieldHaven Feline Center | PDF
When it comes to evacuating during a fire or other disaster, the first thing to keep in mind is to crate your cat(s) sooner than later. As soon as you have an inkling you may have to evacuate, gather up your pet(s) and secure them. Cats are masters at sensing danger. Unlike dogs who glue themselves to humans in uncertain times, cats will scatter and hide. Do not wait until the last minute to secure them in a carrier. You may end up being forced to make a desperate decision if you can not find one last cat who has crawled up under the bed and is inaccessible. Download >>
How to Evacuate Your Cat
FieldHaven Feline Center | Video
Wildfires have become part of our lives in the west and in many other areas of the country. This video will provide tips for being prepared to evacuate your cats in case a wildfire threatens your home. Watch video >>
Volunteer for FHAST
Our disaster response team has responded to disaster incidents for over a decade. Whether the incident is relatively small (a hoarding situation) or gargantuan, FHAST is ready to deploy our experienced team on short notice. We are typically able to set up a shelter for cats and pocket pets within a matter of hours of the initial call for help. Our priorities are the safety and comfort of the animals we are caring for and offering compassion to their owners. As cat experts, we know how to make even the most fearful cats feel relatively comfortable in a shelter setting. We have veterinary staff onsite as needed. When extended care is necessary, we utilize full-service veterinary clinics in the area. If you are interested in joining our team, click here.