By Bloodhorse.com
SONOMA, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2017) — The Glen Ellen Vocational Academy along with its 34 retired horses, came through the stubborn Sonoma County fire that threatened them for more than a week mostly unscathed, the relieved owner of the facility reported the morning of Oct. 19.
“The horses are all fine except for a few scrapes,” said Pam Berg, speaking Thursday over a faulty cell phone connection.
Berg was forced to evacuate her home along with everyone else in her Glen Ellen neighborhood by officials due to the fast-advancing Nuns fire during the early-morning hours Oct. 9. But after getting through the fire line to check on the condition of her horses Oct. 12, she had decided to remain at the 8 1/2-acre facility to ride out the threat.
“I was worried that if I left, they wouldn’t let me back in,” said the 73-year-old GEVA founder and caretaker. Her neighborhood was without electrical power and Berg was unable to provide updates during the week.
“The power finally came back on this morning, so I was able to have a cup of coffee,” Berg said, adding, “It’s been like camping, and I’m not a camper.”
Fortunately, she had enough hay and water available for her horses to get through the fire danger. A neighbor had fed and watered the horses during the time she was away, Berg said.
Situated in the rural hills near Jack London State Park, GEVA is Northern California’s oldest horse retirement and rehabilitation facility. Most of the animals are retired Thoroughbreds that have been passed on to Berg, a former longtime track steward on the Northern California circuit.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Nuns fire, one of several overpowering blazes that started in the Sonoma and Napa County regions Oct. 9 when fueled by strong high winds, heat, and extremely dry conditions, had consumed nearly 55,000 acres as of Oct. 18. With temperatures cooling and the possibility of rain in the forecast, it is now more than 80% contained.
Berg, who said the surrounding ridge above her neighborhood was devastated by the fire, expects the evacuation order to be lifted in the next day or two. Roads in the immediate area should also be reopened to the public soon. Fire crews remain in the area watching for new fires and extinguishing hot spots.