Dramatic video footage has been shared by a police department in California of their race against the clock to evacuate a local animal shelter before a wildfire reached it.
The Nelson fire was racing towards the south end of the town of Vacaville where the local SPCA is located. It looked like the facility would be the first to be hit by the flames, so officers at the Vacaville Police Department rushed in to aid staff with the evacuation of their furry friends.
The Solano SPCA said that officers fit as many vehicles into their vehicles as they could to help out, however they were forced to evacuate under extremely short notice and some cats were unknowingly left behind. Once it was safe, two staff members were able to be escorted back in to retrieve the remaining animals.
Fortunately, fire crews were stationed on the property right outside the building where the cats were, ready to protect it.
A volunteer was also reportedly left at the shelter, but the SPCA confirmed that that individual crossed the fire line illegally after they had already left.
“Unfortunately we do not have power or water at this time but all 60 of our animals are safe in foster homes for the time being. We are hoping to get in there tomorrow to clean up the ash and debris inside our kennel building and around the property,” said the SPCA.
“Fire crews were still working today putting out hot spots and we are grateful for their hard work. We are extremely lucky and thankful to the fire departments and police departments who were on site last night and on the front lines.”
