time of year there are fledgling birds that are unable to fly yet."
A Gazette photo showed a firefighter carrying a newborn fawn out of the fire area. The fawn, who is being called "Bambi," was taken to Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center in Palmer Park, where it had started eating and could stand up after a time.
Animals trapped inside an active burn zone aren't necessarily doomed, Seraphin said. Wildfires don't typically sweep over the land in an all-incinerating wave; they hop and jump, leaving islands of unburned vegetation - at least initially. "It (fire) creates a mosaic pattern of burning, but generally in the beginning phases of a fire like we're having now, there are islands that don't burn," he said.
Wildlife displaced by a fire won't stay so for long, provided their old grounds are still habitable. Case in point: A herd of bighorn sheep forced to split up during the Waldo Canyon fire.
"Some went north, some we aren't sure where they went, but when the fire was over they were back to their primary habitat," Seraphin said. "When it was all said and done, they had formed a herd back up within days of the fire."
Area centers set up for evacuated domestic animals have been busy.
Horses, including 31 from Desert Skye stables, were brought to Norris-Penrose Event Center, which by Wednesday morning was officially full with 100 animals. Besides horses, volunteers led by Julie Woods of the El Paso County Sheriff's Emergency Services, were helping tend to a menagerie which also included 28 goats, 22 chickens and a pheasant.
Early requests for hay were solved with generous donations brought in on flat-bed trailers, but monetary donations are needed for electricity and water as well as future hay needs. Monetary donations go to the nonprofit Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation, in care of Rob Alexander, Stockmens Bank, 601 N. Nevada Ave., 80903.
The Humane Society reported early Wednesday afternoon it were housing 146 pets at two locations: 96 at the permanent facility at 610 Abbot Lane and 50 at the temporary shelter at Palmer Ridge High School, where small animals could stay with their owners. There were lots of dogs and cats but also chickens, ducks, geese, turtles and a snake.
Pressley said they had transferred almost all their dogs to other shelters to make room for displaced dogs from the fire. Monetary donations to the humane society's disaster fund can be made at hsppr.org/disasterdonation. Specific item or volunteer needs will be posted on the society's Facebook page.
All Breed Rescue & Training, which is sheltering dogs from the humane society, was housing more than 40 dogs and cats and reported a "massive outpouring" of support had helped take care of dog walking shifts, food, etc.
On Wednesday the El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan started accepting large animals.
Rocky Mountain Equine, 481-2749, was matching requests with resources for those needing to move large animals.
Other offers included: Colorado K-9 Acres, Falcon, 683-8640, dogs, has done German shepherd rescue, chickens, goats, can't take horses, offered respite for dogs and cats staying with owners in RVs following evacuation; Aavondale Pet Care Center, Peyton, 683-4617, almost at capacity, large and small animals including reptiles, birds, goats and horses.
These facilities were full: Rampart Kennels, 5977 Templeton Gap Road, 591-0066; Woodmen Kennels, 740 Dublin Road, 598-4154, room for small dogs but at capacity for cats.