COSTA MESA – The OC Fair & Event Center played host to dozens and dozens of furry friends last week, all of which were evacuated for the Canyon Fire 2 that burned in the county’s northeastern edge.

Some 127 horses, six pigs, six goats, six mini-horses and ponies, three tortoises, two sheep and a steer began arriving at the fairgrounds on Monday, Oct. 9, the day the blaze broke out, for temporary shelter.

“While the animals were here they were cared for by OC Fair & Event Center staff and by volunteers, most with equine experience,” said Terry Moore, spokeswoman for the Fair & Event Center.

The Fair & Event Center, a designated shelter for large animals during emergencies, was bustling with displaced furry residents.

More than 50 evacuated horses were moved into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center. Volunteers from the county’s Large Animal Rescue Team helped with the transfer on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Diane Dodson hugs her horse Dakota after he was injured during transport from his barn in Orange Park Acres to the OC Fair & Event Center. The 29-year-old Paint slipped and fell when he was being taken out of his trailer at the Fairgounds. “We thought that he was a gonner,” said the horse’s other owner Greg Carbone. After treatment by a veterinarian on site Dakota survived with only a few broken teeth. “It’s a miracle that he’s still here,” Carbone said. Dozens of horses displaced by Canyon Fire 2 were taken to the Orange County Fairgrounds Costa Mesa, CA on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa took in more than 100 animals displaced by the Canyon Fire 2, including three tortoises. (Courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center)

Sarah Allen was one of the dozens of voluneers who helped move more than 50 fire-displaced horses into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center. Dozens of horses displaced by Canyon Fire 2 were taken to the Orange County Fairgrounds Costa Mesa, CA on Sunday, October 8, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dozens of horses displaced by Canyon Fire 2 were taken to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa took in more than 100 animals displaced by the Canyon Fire 2, including three tortoises. (Courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center)

More than 50 evacuated horses were moved into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center. Volunteers from the county’s Large Animal Rescue Team helped with the transfer on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

More than 50 evacuated horses were moved into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center. Volunteers from the county’s Large Animal Rescue Team helped with the transfer on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Ailee Sun and Sarah Allen were part of a group of volunteers who helped move more than 50 horses into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center during the Canyon Fire 2 on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Volunteers from the Shea Center for Equine Therapy helped move more than 50 fire-displaced horses into the Action Sports Arena at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Horses being evacuated from the Canyon Fire 2 cross the street at Jamboree Road and Santiago Canyon Road in Orange on Monday, October 9, 2017. (Photo by Richard Koehler, Contributing Photographer)

Equestrians with trailers pick up horses for evacuation from the Hitch’N Post store on Chapman Avenue. (Photo by Joseph Pimentel, Staff Writer)

Horses are watered while they wait for evacuation. The soot and smoke is dangerous for the animals. (Photo by Joseph Pimentel, Staff Writer)

Horses are led down Chapman Avenue away from the fire danger in Orange Park Acres. (Photo by Joseph Pimentel, Staff Writer)

Horses are led down Chapman Avenue away from the fire danger in Orange Park Acres. (Photo by Joseph Pimentel, Staff Writer)



The fairgrounds had a plan in place and employees and volunteers began building temporary horse stalls, Moore said. Businesses donated essentials such as hay for the animals and food and other goods for the volunteers.

A pony-rescue group in San Diego loaned horse-stall panels.

The first night for the animals at the fairgrounds went pretty smoothly. Moore said the horses and other animals were calm despite being whisked away from the fire’s path, transported – in some cases by strangers – and then finding themselves in a new environment.

Some homeowners weren’t at home when their animals were evacuated.

“There was a woman who was in tears, she was so happy to find her horse,” Moore said.

The fairgrounds property was open to owners to visit and care for their animals at all hours. Evacuees were also welcome to camp out at the property.

“They are obviously dealing with so much, so we want to make it easier for them,” Moore said.