‘Absolutely terrifying:’ Jacksonville Equestrian Center opens stalls as Railroad Fire forces animal evacuations

A wildfire spanning Clay and Putnam counties is prompting evacuations, including for those with livestock. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center offers refuge.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — A large wildfire burning along the Clay and Putnam county line has grown to nearly 3,000 acres, forcing some families to leave their homes and scramble to protect their animals.

The fire, which began as two separate fires on each county side Sunday, has merged into one Railroad Fire, according to the Florida Forest Service.

For families living near the flames, evacuation can be especially challenging, particularly for those with livestock.

Lauren Smith, whose lived in Clay County for five years, said thick smoke quickly filled the area around her home.

“The smoke is pretty thick; you probably can’t see more than 20 feet in front of you,” Smith said.

Smith owns three horses, including one with a respiratory condition called heaves, which makes breathing in smoke especially dangerous.

“It’s very important that he doesn’t breathe in any of this, especially the thick smoke, because it will irritate the lungs,” Smith said.

Rather than wait, Smith loaded her horses and relocated them to a friend’s farm in St. Augustine. Along with the horses, she also had to evacuate her cats, dog, and five-month-old baby.

“We wanted to be proactive instead of reacting,” Smith said. “We wanted to be safer than sorry.”

For families who do not have somewhere to take their animals, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center is opening more than 400 stalls to evacuees.

Carolyn LaRose, vice chairman of the North Florida Equestrian Society, said the center has already started receiving calls from worried animal owners.

“They’re terrified. It’s hard, horses are large animals,” LaRose said. “Some people don’t even have horse trailers, and they’re scared they’re gonna lose their home, their barn, and on top of it, lose the animals that are so important to them.”

LaRose said the facility can take horses and other livestock for $25 per stall, which covers cleaning and bedding. Animals can remain at the facility as long as needed.

“I’ve had to evacuate for a fire a couple of years ago with my farm, and it is absolutely terrifying,” LaRose said. “Whatever we need to do for our community, however many horses and livestock we can take, we’re here for them.”

Anyone needing to evacuate animals to the Jacksonville Equestrian Center is encouraged to call Heather Venter (727-560-4844), Carolyn LeRose (904-226-8483), or Rocco Frakes (904-226-4000)