Soda Fire in Idaho Threatens Wild Horses
BLM Monitoring Wild Horses Affected by Soda Fire
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is actively monitoring the status of wild horses in the Sands Basin and Hardtrigger herd management areas in Idaho. These areas have been severely affected by the Soda Fire, with Sands Basin located about 13 miles southwest of Homedale and Hardtrigger situated south of the Snake River between Murphy and Highway 95.
According to the BLM, more than 60,000 acres have burned in the Hardtrigger area, and nearly 12,000 acres have been affected in Sands Basin. A specialist spotted at least 60 horses near Jump Creek in an unburned area of Sands Basin, and supplemental hay will be provided to them. In the Hardtrigger area, 170 horses were found roaming in unburned regions where sufficient forage is available.
To facilitate the horses' movement away from the fire, gates and fences have been opened and cut. Unfortunately, one horse had to be euthanized due to fatal wire injuries, and the BLM anticipates that more horses may have been injured while escaping the fire.
BLM officials are considering an emergency wild horse gather, as there is insufficient unburned forage for the horses to survive the winter. Some horses may be relocated to the Boise Wild Horse Corrals for care.