Shivering horse found waiting out Camp Fire in backyard pool

Jeff Hill and Geoff Sheldon rescue a horse they found in a backyard pool in Paradise. The horse was stranded in the water for an unknown amount of time when Hill and Sheldon found it Sunday. Jeff Hill and Geoff Sheldon rescue a horse they found in a backyard pool in Paradise. The horse was stranded in the water for an unknown amount of time when Hill and Sheldon found it Sunday. Photo: Jeff Hill Photo: Jeff Hill Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Shivering horse found waiting out Camp Fire in backyard pool 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

Editor's note (Nov. 15, 2018): An update to this story, including an interview with Jeff Hill, can be found here.

A horse was found in the backyard pool of a Paradise, Calif. resident, after the animal apparently tried to find a safe space as the Camp Fire moved through town.

Paradise resident Jeff Hill shared photos of the horse Sunday on Facebook. The photos showed the horse in a pool, but entangled in the pool cover.

"There's no telling how long she was there but she was shivering uncontrollably," Hill wrote. "She was all caught up in the pool cover but her being suspended by it prevented her from drowning."

Hill said he and a friend undid the pool cover, then helped the horse out of the shallow end of the pool.

Well among all the sadness I had a glimpse of happiness today! As I was checking to see if someone’s house was standing... Posted by Jeff Hill on Sunday, November 11, 2018

The horse got out and "loved on us for a few minutes as a thank you," Hill wrote, before walking off. The men waited until resources could help escort the horse out of the fire zone, CNN reported.

Law enforcement and firefighters have all been helping to round up many of the animals found wandering through the area. One such animal rescue showed California Highway Patrol officers attempting to round up a potbelly pig that was roaming Paradise, while Sacramento firefighters found two donkeys, pausing to feed the animals apples while they awaited animal control to take them in.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group is one local group organizing efforts to rescue lost animals and connect them with owners.

A temporary animal shelter is set up at the Chico Municipal Airport, while small animals are being taken to a location at 2279 Del Oro Ave. in Oroville. Larger animals, such as horses, are at Rolling Hills Casino Equestrian Center off Highway 5 in Corning. People should go to these places in person to look for lost pets.

Writer Amy Graff contributed to this report.

Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at ddeguzman@sfchronicle.com.

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