In June 2016, the Dog Head Fire burned more than 18,000 acres in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico, forcing evacuations across the East Mountain communities. No people or horses died, and nearly 100 horses were moved to safety ahead of the flames. In October 2016, KRQE-TV News 13 in Albuquerque reported on that rescue effort, interviewing Dr. Stacie Boswell — then practicing in New Mexico — as one of the veterinarians who stepped up during the crisis.
Local group saved dozens of horses during the Dog Head Fire
KRQE-TV News 13, Albuquerque, New Mexico — October 26, 2016
Walking N Circles Ranch (New Mexico Horse Rescue), run by Ruth Andrews, coordinated the effort to move more than 90 horses out of the evacuation area and into temporary housing, at no cost to the evacuees. Stacie was among those who took animals in. From the KRQE report:
“I just remember thinking how hard it must be for everybody that was being evacuated, and I remember being worried about my patients,” said Boswell.
Boswell says she was able to move some of her own horses to another part of her property, and was able to keep three horses and two donkeys during the evacuation.
“Several volunteers with their trucks and trailers literally drove right down to the mouth of the flames and pulled horses out and came back repeatedly, and they took care of all the costs taking care of those horses,” said Boswell. … “There were more places than there were horses that needed to go, which was great.”
The original KRQE story is no longer available on the station’s site; it is preserved by the Internet Archive.