oN Fire THE mountain An ordinary trail ride ends in a harrowing escape as a spreading wildfire cuts off the route home.

DARVIN ATKESON

52 EQUUS 459 december 2015 •

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A I E By Cindy Casey R L R oN A was hungry and tired, and

I N I wanted to be home. The E SKY FIRE dusty dirt road seemed to V CALIFORNIAMAP.ORG F A never end, and my wind- THE O D shield wipers had to con- A stantly push away the dust to R Iallow me a view of the trailer just ahead. N I could only wonder how my horse, Zory, I was faring in the trailer behind me, after bouncing through ruts and over A rocks hour after hour. The day had started with a pleas- ant ride in the Forest, on trails about an hour’s drive from my home in central . How did it end this way? The cause was a wildfire, designated as Sky Fire by the authorities, and it affected 500 acres before it was contained. Looking back, I realize our experience could have been far worse.

I’d noticed some black smoke as and as we passed the enormous Bull I’d prepared to head out that morning Buck Tree, a giant sequoia with a di- last June---an omen you don’t overlook ameter of more than 26 feet, one of my on hot, dry summer days in this part companions remarked that this tree had of the country. But, after several phone been there long before us and would calls, I learned that there had been a be there long after us. Thinking of the structure fire farther down our road severe drought we are experiencing I and it was under control. It was safe to commented, “I hope so.” continue with our plans. I headed up After our ride, we returned to the

the road and met a couple of friends at trailhead, took the tack off our horses CASEY CINDY COURTESY, the trailhead for a 10-mile ride through some of the most beautiful trails in the country. The day was lovely and the green grass, flowering bushes and cooler temperatures were a welcome change from our sun-baked home in the foothills. Our route took us by the Grove of Giant Sequoias,

BUDDIES: The author poses with her Kiger mustang, Zory, a seasoned traveler who weathered the close call with little difficulty.

december 2015 EQUUS 459 53 and started for home. It had been a Clearly, the fire wonderful trip. But that was about to had started much change. The fire I’d noticed earlier higher up the DARVIN ATKESON would turn out to be the first of five that mountain than would break out in the nearby mountain we had thought, communities that day, and one of them and it had gained was now growing out of control. strength during Still unaware of the danger, I drove the time we were the two miles of dirt road that con- getting our trailers nected with a paved road leading down turned around. the mountain toward home. Soon I met two women in a truck towing a horse trailer coming toward me. They flagged me down and said, “There is a fire. It is bad. You cannot get through this way. Turn around.” TROUBLE AHEAD Then the first of many small mir- acles occurred: There was actually a place to turn around. The women had devised a plan to turn off onto a forest service dirt road, which would lead to TOO CLOSE: Dust and smoke a small community called Sugar Pine. from the wildfire darken I got in line behind what was becom- the midday air as a ranger ing a small caravan of six trucks pull- meets the caravan trying ing horse trailers, including some big to escape the wildfire on a three-horse rigs. forest service road. We got onto the forest service road, and within a short distance I was thankful that my vehicle is four-wheel drive. We bounced our way around and through ruts for many miles, stir- ring up what felt like the Dust Bowl. At this point we had not seen the fire and assumed it was some distance down the mountain. Soon the road forked, and the lead truck chose what appeared to be the most traveled route, which also aimed in the general direc- tion of Sugar Pine. I started to relax as the road smoothed out and even contained a little gravel. We had to be almost to civilization. Suddenly the caravan came to a stop. The road was a dead end.

CINDY CASEY CINDY We all got out to assess the situation.

54 EQUUS 459 december 2015 the other road, the onethat looked less was to headback to thefork andtake riding quietly andfaring well. trailers. All thehorses seemed to be kicking or whinnying fromany of the ground---I never heardany scrambling, and other maneuvering over uneven ride---and allof thebacking, turning HOLDING small oneat that! the secondmiracle of theday, andno allowing theothersto pass. This was wide enoughto squeezeto theside, There was even oneareathat was brush, we allgot turnedaround. each other back andturnthroughthe everyone working together, helping were devising aplan. Somehow, with in caseof trouble. wanted someone to know we were here, that we were turningaround, but we explained to theforest service person law enforcement would benotified. I our exact location; we were told that andgiven them me to someone who worked for the a few minutes OnStar had connected fortunately was working well. Within truck isequipped with OnStar, which more than marginal service, but my No one’s cellphonehad anything we were andthepredicament we faced. gested that we notify someone of where woman said, “We arescrewed.” was pretty much summed up when one potentially headedour way. Our position still a wildfire out theresomewhere, the roadonbothsides. And there was and pines, firs, cedarsandbrushlined a small turnaround areaat theend, up onaone-lane road. There was only Half adozenhorse trailers were lined december 2015 Once we were moving again, our goal Fortunately, despite thelong, bumpy In themeantime, theother drivers One of my riding companions sug STEADY

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the turn, aranger arrived with lights and trailer was still tryingto negotiate our thirdsmall miracle. As thetruck tempting it---which turnedout to be and trailer struggled for some time at a tight hairpin turn, andthefirst truck traveled. However, this would require ahead was pitch-black with smoke, and headed back toward the fire. Thesky road we went. So back out therutted, dusty, bumpy out how to turn six rigsaroundagain. lineup behindthecar, tryingto figure the mud, nor did we get stuck inanother The good news: We did not get stuck in ten stuck in a patch of deep, gooey mud. way. A car had gone down thereandgot The badnews was, we could not go that call to OnStar. flashing---a result, I later learned, of my That meant, of course, that we were His news was bothgood andbad. - - and theroaringsoundonly emphasized fire planes were flying close overhead, ting our trailersturnedaround. The strength duringthetime we were get than we had thought, andit had gained started much higher up themountain ash was falling. Clearly, thefire had and teamwork. required patience a one-laneroad six horserigson Turning around TIGHT SQUEEZE: campgrounds andsetting up barricades now out ingreater numbers, evacuating we found that law enforcement was ride out onour horses. pressed, Isuppose, we’d have tried to to abandon thetrucks andtrailers.If tally formulating Plan Bincase we had As we got closer to thepaved road,

EQUUS 459 55 not aloneinmen no choice. I was ing, but we had fire was terrify ward theraging the danger. Heading to -

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CINDY CASEY to direct people to safety. National for- AMONG GIANTS: The author, est roads can be confusing, even when aboard Zory, pauses at the you’ve been given verbal directions, base of the Bull Buck Tree, but the two women leading our make- a giant sequoia in the Sierra shift caravan managed to navigate National Forest that stands the several miles of dirt roads without 247 feet tall. mishap. When our route finally took us away from the fire, it was a tremen- dous relief to have the smoke in our rearview mirrors. At last we reached pavement, de- scended the mountain and turned toward our respective homes. What a thrill it was to be safely back on the main roads, especially as we looked back at the huge billows of smoke from the tremendous fire. I could only think LEARNING of getting home as soon as possible to FROM get my poor horse out of the trailer. EXPERIENCE: STICK ONE LAST SURPRISE TOGETHER But the day had one more curve to If you’re with other people in the throw me: I was zipping down the same predicament, stay with the group. highway when I had to slam on the You’ll be able to pool your resources and brakes to avoid hitting a good-sized perhaps benefit from their knowledge of black bear, who had crossed right in the area. Also, if local authorities need to braking, so I assume Zory kept his front of my truck. I didn’t hear any noise coordinate an evacuation, it’ll go faster balance one more time. and easier if they don’t have to search for The bear lumbered away untouched,

CLIX PHOTOGRAPHY in the trailer as a result of my quick everyone individually. and then we were home at last! The usual one-hour drive had taken six hours, but we were both safe. Zory seemed a tiny bit wobbly for his first couple of steps on solid ground, sort of how I would feel when getting off of a boat. I thought he would head straight to his water, but instead he fell right into eating. Zory is a real trouper about trav- eling---he has been riding in a trailer since he was 9 months old, and I often take him somewhere twice a week. Usually, he sleeps on the way home. I am grateful for his fortitude. Several times during the trip I had thought about stopping to get some water to him, but ultimately, I’d decided that staying with the caravan and getting out of the

56 EQUUS 459 december 2015 that can be installed in any car always accurate. They may or truck. OnStar still uses cell show roads that are no service but has a more powerful longer maintained, or you reception than a cell phone. may encounter roads that do COURTESY, CINDY CASEY CINDY COURTESY, When you’re riding, keep not appear on the map. Plus, your phone or other devices in there is no way of knowing a pocket or fanny pack so they from a map whether a road is can help you if you’re separated passable for a vehicle towing from your horse. Having a trailer. car chargers for all of your • Medications or other electronics is also essential. personal products. For • A paper map. Use this instance, I have blood sugar as a backup and to familiarize issues and am now stocking yourself with the roads you my trailer and horse pack with intend to travel before you go. some extra emergency items I The Sky Fire emphasized this might need. lesson. As a friend and I were • Extra food and water. later exploring the area where I keep a 20-gallon tub of the fire occurred, we found water in my truck in the another road that would have summertime, and although I been a much better way out didn’t need it during the Sky than the way we were sent. Fire ordeal, I was comforted by Later on, my riding buddy met a the fact that it was there. Some LEARNING deputy who’d been involved in nonperishable food stored in FROM WHAT the evacuation that day, and he the tow vehicle or tack room of EXPERIENCE: told her there had been some your trailer may be a godsend TO CARRY miscommunication—we had if you’re stranded for many • Communication and communication tool that been sent the wrong way! Had hours. Be aware, though, devices. Three types of utilizes satellites. In addition we known about the better road that it is never acceptable to electronics are useful in the to showing you where you are, during the fire, we would have leave food in a vehicle when backcountry. The most common they allow limited two-way questioned the people at the you’re in bear country. Some are those that utilize cell communications, such as texts, barricade who were directing us trailheads have food storage service, like cell phones and the to emergency responders. These a different way. lockers (called “bear boxes”) communication systems found can be expensive, but they are Be aware, though, that but many do not. Carrying extra in many vehicles. However, the most reliable devices in national forest maps are not food and water is a good idea you cannot always rely on cell remote areas. in the wintertime, as well as signals in wilderness areas. The I can personally vouch the summers, in case you’re second type of device uses GPS for OnStar, a navigation and stranded by ice and snow. satellites to show you where you communication system that • Supplies for your are; these do not enable you to comes built-in to General horse. I normally carry a little communicate with anyone, but Motors vehicles (although food for my horse to enjoy on they can help you locate roads you have to pay for a the trip home from a ride, but and other topological features subscription for the service). from now on I will carry an around you. The third type of You’ll also find competing extra flake of hay in case we device is a combined location systems, with similar services are out longer than expected. 123RF.COM december 2015 EQUUS 459 57 LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE: TRAILERING • Buy an appropriate tow vehicle. When shopping for a new truck or SUV, choose one that has the power you’ll need to haul the weight of your loaded SAFE AT LAST: trailer safely and comfortably. Four-wheel Smoke is still drive is practically essential if you billowing from ever leave paved roads—and the chances the wildfire as the of that are much higher if you spend time author and the other in the backcountry. Also, always keep drivers finally your vehicle in good repair, with routine reach the highway. oil changes, good tires and other regular maintenance. • Always start with a full tank forest before nightfall was my higher I’m sharing this story to encourage of gas whenever you head to the priority. Fortunately, he pulled through others to prepare for the unexpected. backcountry. the ordeal just fine. It is easy to get complacent when, week • Keep a well-stocked toolbox on I thought again of the earlier com- after week, we take our horses into the board. Have on hand pliers, screwdrivers, ment from my riding companion, “That backcountry and just enjoy the day. a hammer, wrenches, a flat-tire repair kit, Bull Buck Tree will be here long after I know my friends and I won’t be tak- a flashlight with extra batteries, WD-40, us.” Again I thought, “I hope so.” The fire ing those uneventful, relaxing rides extra fuses, emergency flares or triangles, was quite close to the Nelder Grove and for granted. We will appreciate each bungee cords, duct tape, jumper cables,

CINDY CASEY CINDY totally out of control. and every one.

58 EQUUS 459 december 2015 hree weeks later, a friend and I that day---one of the rigs had pulled a jack, a properly inflated spare tire, a drove back to the mountain to into a masticated area. Thank goodness fire extinguisher and anything else you explore the dirt roads and see he did not get a flat tire! My friend, a might need to deal with mechanical T where we had been. It was sad to see all retired firefighter with years of experi- emergencies. Other tools that might come the acres devastated by fire. We were ence towing and maneuvering large in handy include a shovel, sand or gravel pleased to discover that the bumpy, rut- vehicles in tight places, was absolutely in the winter, trailer-wheel chocks, a trailer ted road had been smoothed out, and astounded that we got everyone turned aid to assist in changing a flat on a trailer, gravel had been added. We stopped out around and out of that spot. a coupler lock and a crowbar. at the dead end. This area had been And, one final update: The Bull Buck • Think about safety inside the logged, which is why that branch of the Tree still lives, and the Nelder Grove of trailer. I usually use shipping boots road had been improved, and we also Giant Sequoias remained untouched by on my horse and was happy that I had discovered places where some of the the recent fire. done so that day since he could have brush has been masticated with large easily stepped on himself when trying to cutting machines---this often leaves About the author: Cindy Casey has been balance. I also use a breakaway trailer spikes of broken woody trunks sticking riding backcountry trails for 25 years, tie. In general, I like rope halters, but I out of the ground. And I identified a and for nearly a decade she participated prefer my horse to have a soft, nylon web fourth small miracle that had occurred in weekly long-distance day rides in the halter when he’s riding in a trailer. Yosemite National Park backcountry. She If he should need to use is currently riding her Kiger mustang, the tie for balance, Zory, whom she purchased as a weanling or should he lose and started herself. She and Zory enjoy his balance, I don’t shorter, relaxing rides these days, and want the knots of also are taking dressage lessons. She a rope halter to is the author of Yosemite on Horseback: put pressure on Suggested Day Rides in the Backcountry. his face. She resides in Mariposa, California. DUSTY PERIN

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