43 cattle saved from wildfire flames

Tuesday, ranchers from the Flying W Ranch had little time to evacuate their livestock. Handlers wrangled horses and took them by the dozen to the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center where large animal evacuees are being cared for, but more than 40 cattle, including 20 calves, were stuck on the farm.

With little time and few options, ranch hands broke down fences in an attempt to allow herds of cattle a fighting chance to survive.

“It’s emotional because we left them and turned them lose,” said Michael Moses, one of the volunteers who has helped ranch workers with evacuations of animals.

On Thursday Moses, along with other ranchers, traveled into one of Colorado Springss evacuated areas, Centennial, where the abandoned cattle were believed to be roaming.

Moses said the sight of devastated homes was a “gut check,” and that homeowners would have to see the images for themselves before they could fully understand the damages, but a positive quickly changed his attention: The cattle were all alive and well.

For Sara Arsenault, one of the ranch hands that fed the livestock every morning, afternoon and night, the loss of the ranch was hard to bear, but the sight of 20 young calves, full-grown cattle and one bull made it easier.

“It’s not easy to watch,” said Arsenault. “It’s sad to see them in this state because we can’t do more than what we’ve done, but I’m happy they’re safe and sound.”

The cattle have been transported to the Norris-Penrose Equestrian Center where workers are helping feed horses, cattle and other large animals. After two days without water or feed, those cattle could be herded into a pen and fed a hearty meal.

Several cows have scars on their necks, burns on their hooves and what is being described as “charred” sections on their bodies. Arsenault, and other Flying W Ranch workers say that the herd as a whole is doing well.