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Thank You Firefighters

Homepage BLOG Thank You Firefighters
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Thank You Firefighters

May 12, 2017
By Moonbird
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The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) reports that all wild horses in the  vicinity of the Cactus Fire have been located and are safe including the very pregnant mare we were monitoring, who gave birth on Wednesday morning not even half a mile from where the fire was raging. Despite starting his life at such a dangerous time with ashes falling all around, the little wild colt is doing great. His name; “Cactus Fire”!

A lot of this spectacular habitat might have been lost, but thanks to the successful efforts by the forest service we estimate that less than 1% of their habitat has burned.

We had a chance to thank the fire fighters in person and also sent a letter to the Forest Service. All Fire Fighters received a thank you card with a picture of the new baby on it.

In the blink of an eye it could have all been gone again, states Simone Netherlands, president of the group, “We recognize how lucky we are to still have this amazing natural resource in our backyard and despite facing many human-caused challenges, the Tonto National Forest remains one of the most magnificent pieces of “wild” we have left in Arizona”.

The SRWHMG, who also repairs fences along Bush highway to keep horses safe, is going to make sure that any fences damaged in the fire will be fixed. Anyone who sees an injured wild horse please call the emergency hotline, (480)868-9301.

Please help us in thanking the Forest Service and brave firefighters.

Letter of Gratitude: To all of the U.S. Forest Service employees, hot shot crews and each of the brave firefighters assigned to the Cactus Fire,

On behalf of 80 volunteers, the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group would like to express our deepest gratitude for your hard and brave work to fight the Cactus Fire.

We do not take lightly the commitment you have shown to our public lands and our community. By assigning the crews and resources – including the lifesaving “bambi bucket” helicopter — to contain a fire that could have threatened all of the Tonto National Forest and the critical habitat it provides for thousands of species, including the Salt River wild horses.

We greatly appreciate the open line of communication with the Forest Supervisor as well as with those fighting the fire – including the awesome helicopter crew who gave us fascinating insight into the fire’s progression and the efforts to contain it.

While the fire spread from 20 acres to 200 acres in a matter of hours, it was not threatening structures or people and was not the only wildfire burning in Arizona. Yet, you did not take any chances with the Tonto National Forest and we are so grateful for that.

Hotshot firefighter crews battled until 1 a.m. on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, our people stationed at Goldfield, cheered loudly when we saw the green helicopter take off with the bambi bucket. Soon after that the black clouds turned to white and later to small puffs floating here and there. At that point we could, quite literally, breathe again.

For you brave men, we are aware that every time you go into a fire, you face danger and unpredictability and are risking your lives. We know this all too well, as one of our volunteer members is Amanda Marsh. Amanda is the widow of Eric Marsh, the superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who so tragically perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013. Amanda Marsh wants us to let you know that Eric, who loved the wild horses, would have been proud of the work that you have done to protect the Tonto National Forest from the Cactus Fire.

Not only did you protect our people, but also you stopped the fire from killing countless wild animals and destroying their habitat.

We are pleased to report that all Salt River wild horses have been located and are safe, including a very pregnant mare we were monitoring. She gave birth to a healthy foal Wednesday morning, less than a half a mile from where the fire was raging. We named the new colt “Cactus Fire.”

Despite facing many human-caused challenges, the Tonto National Forest remains one of the most bountiful and magnificent pieces of “wild” we have left in Arizona. We recognize how lucky we are to have this amazing natural resource in our backyard.

We conclude by expressing our deepest gratitude and respect to the following crews and officials:

San Juan hot shots, Jay Godsen and crew members.
Carson hot shots, Tim Memmer and crew members.
Tonto engine 1246,  Tad Fagerud and crew members.
Tonto engine 1249, Gabe Brooks and crew members.
Tonto engine 1267, Adam Giordano and crew members.
Tonto engine 1235, John Hewitt and crew members.
Tonto engine 1237, Rigo Flores and crew members.
Tonto engine 1218, Ryan Barela and crew members.
Tonto engine 1238, Josh Walk and crew members.
Pima Fire module, Alexandra Dayzie and crew members.
Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth.
Mesa Ranger District, Gary Hannah.
Incident Commander Quentin Johnson.
Incident Commander trainee Nick Castro.
Information officer Gary Roberts and Carrie Templin.
Agency representative  Micah Grondin.
Mesa Ranger district fire management officer Rocky Gilbert .
Planning section, Michael Hill.
Logistics chief George Cummings
Type 3 helicopter, Kevin Merrill and crew.

Thank you for saving the lower Salt River, Tonto National Forest!

Gratefully, The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.

SRWHMG Volunteers keep eye on horses during Cactus Fire.


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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

9 hours ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
We have extremely sad news. A beautiful young stallion was found with a severe compound fracture of the cannonbone. Nothing was left intact that could have possibly healed. Therefore we are very grateful that MCSO and AZDA were able to give him a quick and painless way out of his suffering. He was a very special young stallion out of Faith and Champ, his name was Loyal, and he was that in the true sense of the word. He was so Loyal to his family. He was still with his birthband and was helping his Dad Champ keep the family together as Champ is aging.We are so sorry for this sad news on this holiday weekend and we are so sorry for anyone who may find his body as it is close to a recreation site. He will go back to nature as meant in the wild. Please know that his life was truly wonderful and free, and that in the end, he did not have to suffer. Run forever free Loyal 💔We are so grateful for our partnerships with AZDA and MCSO. Please have a safe weekend everyone. Many broken hearts for Loyal, SRWHMG. ... See MoreSee Less

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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

19 hours ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
We hope everyone gets to enjoy the beauty of the Salt River wild horses this Memorial Day weekend. On weekends like this the thousands of people in and around the river can get confusing for the horses. Please be aware that when you come to recreate along the lower Salt River, you are entering their home. Please help spread this important message for them:Salt River wild horses are protected pursuant to ARS 3-1491, It is illegal to harass, chase, interfere, capture or kill a Salt River horse. Therefore please adhere to these safe viewing guidelines: -Keep a safe distance of 50 ft from horses at all times, even if they come your way. This is for their well being, and for yours.-Approaching or pursuing closer than 50 ft can be considered interfering/harassment, which is punishable by law with a fine and/or jail sentence. -Do not feed horses, this is bad for them and is also against the law. (except for the feed program by SRWHMG, which is not active right now) - Keep dogs leashed as horses can attack dogs and vice versa. Maricopa County Leash Law is in effect in the Tonto National Forest. -Close all gates behind you for their safety. - Trash kills. This is their home and it is your public land. Pack out what you pack in and pick up after someone else if you want to help make a difference. -Please report any issues of harassment or injury to the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group (SRWHMG) (480)868-9301 We hope everyone enjoys a safe and responsible Memorial day weekend! SRWHMG.Photo of the youngest Salt River wild horse Makenzie and her family, by SRWHMG Rick Blandford, edited Simone Netherlands property of SRWHMG. ... See MoreSee Less

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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

2 days ago

Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
Foal Flashback Friday. The adorable foal under moms tail in the first picture is the big grown stallion in the second picture, which is a screenshot from our app. The mares' name is Summer and his name is Monsoon. We name horses purposely in themes so that even when they are all grown and on their own, we can easily remember their parentage just by their name. We follow each Salt River wild horse from birth untill death and check up on each horse when we can. Both Summer and Monsoon are doing great. Monsoon is a lieutenant stallion in Orion's band. Btw we pray that this Summer is short and that Monsoon comes early! Have a great memorial day weekend everyone.First picture by GP Walsh Photography. Second picture by Destini Rhone. ... See MoreSee Less

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Tuesday, 24, May
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Saturday, 21, May
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Mark your calendars…
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From most adorable foal of 2018
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Trash kills
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Salt River Wild Horse Management Group
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    • Horse Viewing Guidelines
    • Protected by AZ State Law
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