Halter Project

Here’s how HALTER Project founder Julie Atwood spent the day, getting ready for the knarly wind heading our way: Cleaned up, packed another bag for the car with some cozy warm things- just in case. Nights are getting chilly! Loaded a trailer with supplies and equipment in case our animal disaster response teams are activated. Moved vehicles so they can’t be blocked by fallen trees or branches, and, like Cal Fire, we prepositioned equipment for fast access.... Topped off water troughs and soaked around all the buildings. Moved the horses to the lower pastures, smaller pens are set up for quick catching. Barn cat Jax got a refresher walk with his harness so he won’t be stressed when wearing it. Glass Fire refugee goats are loving their playground, and all the safe refuge pens in the covered steel arena are ready for neighborhood evacuees if needed. Every hose has a good nozzle and fire hoses are staged at the hydrants. The old house and heritage oaks on our ranches are definitely vulnerable in the forecast wind and low humidity conditions. We’re steeling ourselves for damage and losses. But our animals, and we, are about as ready and safe as can be. Are yours? Included are some great materials from HALTER Project and the National Weather Service to help you fine-tune your preparedness. Do not wait for Evac warnings! If your animals are in a vulnerable location, move them early in the day. Fires or no, this wind will be dangerous. Don’t risk being trapped by fallen trees branches, power lines, or navigating dark and dangerous roads in bad conditions. It’s a cool, damp morning but by late afternoon conditions will be DANGEROUS. You have to act now to keep your animals, family and neighbors safe! However, it gets dark early now, and many areas will be without power. Don’t put your animals, yourself, and responders at risk. Stay safe! **Included are photos to see NWS most current (as of 8am 10/25/2020) warnings for Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, and SoCal. #RedFlagWarning #PSPS

We really appreciate hotels and motels accepting pet evacuees! Here are some tips for evacuating with pets during COVID.

Like us, out here in CA, the Gulf Coast just can’t get a break. We know you guys know how to prepare! Stay safe, and your animals, too.

Maureen is a terrific photographer and she honors the air-ops resources with her beautiful photos. We are truly fortunate to have such an array of resources in the air, on the ground, and in Command Centers. The last 24 hours have shown swift and impressive response that’s no doubt saved vast amounts of property, animals, and probably human lives during unprecedented conditions. Thanks to ALL the resources.

After a 2am drive to check on the horses and general situation, saw more wind and RH data pop up. ***Including the 5pm wind gust info because it’s important to understand that it might not be windy at your home, but could be very gusty just a few miles away. ***Situational AWARENESS is so important! To everyone who was surprised and grumbling that power was shut off early, this is why. Wind was gusting over 33-40mph in the Mayacamas.... The power was shut off 1 hour earlier than planned because trees and branches were already coming down. This is a good example of why everyone must take personal responsibility for safety and awareness. For instance, If you live in or near the hills and decide to do a load of laundry on a PSPS day, you might end up needing a washtub and clothesline to finish the job:) Don’t wait for others, or an agency, to tell you what to do and when to do it. Be alert to the conditions around you, and act accordingly.

About the smoke outlook..,

*** Monday afternoon*** Since this post seems to have a following, here’s a cheerier update! No sleep at all last night. Thankful for all our dedicated firefig...hters who stood watch and stomped out fires, and cleared trees and debris throughout the last 24 hours. Also feeling glad we were so well prepared. It really does make a huge difference, and allowed for time to call and check on neighbors, post reminders and weather updates, and be a resource instead of a basket case. Preparedness does pay off. Don’t stop believin! *** Sunday 3pm UPDATE*** The PSPS has started in Glen Ellen. It’s breezy with intermittent gusts. Perfect temp, blue sky. . It’d be a simply gorgeous fall afternoon if we weren’t staring down the throat of fire. This is the sort of day we used to pray for as perfect wedding weather. Those were the days! ** 8am UPDATE*** Scroll Down to end of photos to see NWS most current warnings for Bay Area, Sacramento Valley, and SoCal. It’s a cool, damp morning but by late afternoon conditions will be DANGEROUS. You have to act now to kerp your anjmals, family and neighbors safe!*** Here’s how I spent the day, getting ready for the knarly wind heading our way. Cleaned up, packed another bag for the car with some cozy warm things- just in case. Nights are getting chilly! Loaded a trailer with supplies and equipment in case our animal disaster response teams are activated. Moved vehicles so they can’t be blocked by fallen trees or branches, and, like Cal Fire, we prepositioned equipment for fast access. Topped off water troughs and soaked around all the buildings. Moved the horses to the lower pastures, smaller pens are set up for quick catching. And, barn cat Jax got a refresher walk with his harness so he won’t be stressed when wearing it. Glass Fire refugee goats are loving their playground, and all the safe refuge pens in the covered steel arena are ready for neighborhood evacuees if needed. Every hose has a good nozzle and fire hoses are staged at the hydrants. The old house and heritage oaks on our ranches are definitely vulnerable in the forecast wind and low humidity conditions. We’re steeling ourselves for damage and losses. But our animals, and we, are about as ready and safe as can be. Are yours? I’ve included some great materials from HALTER Project and the NWS to help you fine-tune your preparedness. Do not wait for Evac warnings! If your animals are in a vulnerable location, move them early in the day. Fires or no, this wind will be dangerous. Don’t risk being trapped by fallen trees branches, power lines, or navigating dark and dangerous roads in bad conditions. It gets dark early now, and many areas will be without power. Don’t put your animals, yourself, and responders at risk. Stay safe!

PSPS - Important (and helpful) info from Supervidor Hopkins.

Emergency Alerts- what they are and what they mean. An Evacuation Warning means danger is near, prepare to go ASAP. An Evacuation Order means Immediate life-threatening danger-Go NOW!... **If you have large animals, you should leave before or as soon as you get a WARNING**

Wondering about ALERTS? Make sure you know the difference between Weather Alerts/Watches/Warnings, and Emergency Alerts/Warnings/Orders. Currently, If you live anywhere in Sonoma Valley and you get a safety alert from Napa, PAY ATTENTION!! Weather Alerts mean Get Ready, Stay Alert and Aware of your surroundings. These alerts are issued by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) and are amplified by local emergency services, which differ by area.... Emergency alerts issued by Sonoma County OEC don't all go out to everyone for every type of incident. Specifically alerts, like Evacuation Warnings and Orders, may be location-specific and go only tho people in the affected zones. Whether you get emergency alerts can depend on on your location, provider service, and your device. They might be issued as a cell phone text, an email, by land line, WEA, NOAA radio, or Nixle. Know the difference and how to get the alerts you need to stay safe.

Zogg Fire pets looking for their families!! See a familiar set of whiskers?

Don’t wait to evacuate- even without fire, roads may be blocked by downed trees and wires. Stressed trees are more at risk in low humidity caused by the wind. Like us, animals will be anxious. Keep pets inside and on leash or harness if possible. Move equines and livestock out of barns and away from hazards. Add extra water - enough for 3-5 days. Check your backup communication plans and devices.... Check on neighbors to make sure they, and their animals, are safe. HALTER Project also has checklists and other tools in Spanish! https://www.halterproject.org/make-a-plan

We need to be WIND as well as FIRE-safe! Now - is the time to prepare and move your animals. Now is the time to check everything around your home, barn, and ranch to secure items that can become dangerous projectiles or cause a spark.

Colorado, sending hugs and hope from California