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In this article, Madison Heth writes about the Rum Creek Fire and how Aranaway Farm is helping families evacuate their livestock.
Aranaway Farms Help With the Rum Creek Fire
Aranaway Farms Help With the Rum Creek Fire
By Madison Heth
Rum Creek Fire - NOAA/National Weather Service photo
Wildfires are something that Oregon is known for. Every summer, all Oregonians deal with the aggravating smoke. However, some even deal with the fear that comes with being so close to a dangerous fire. On Aug. 17, 2022, a lightning strike started a fire in Josephine County, Oregon. Since the strike, over 20,000 acres of land have burned. Many families have been threatened with evacuations, and for those with livestock, it has proven to be a challenge. However, with the help of Aranaway Farm and people in the community, families have had a breath of fresh air knowing there are people willing to help get their animals to safety.
Aranaway Farm, owned and run by Maryanne Morrison, is a Morgan Horse breeding farm that was established in 1951. Located in the Applegate Valley, the farm was started by Morrison’s father and she continues to run the horse farm to this day. Helping people in the community is something Morrison loves. In an interview with NewsWatch 12, Morrison expressed, “My family have always helped people.” Aranaway Farm, together with SOEA (Southern Oregon Emergency Aid) created Aranaway Sanctuary, which is a non-profit organization to help evacuate livestock in the community. Morrison decided to partner with SOEA during a large fire outbreak in 2020. Ever since then, she has been helping families keep their animals safe from wildfires.
A photo of the Aranaway Farm sign located in the main barn, taken by Madison Heth.
In this photo taken by Madison Heth, a volunteer at Aranaway Farm is working with one of the horses.
A photo of two Aranaway horses out in a pasture, taken by Madison Heth.
Aranaway Sanctuary partnered this summer to help with evacuations for the recent Rum Creek Fire. Morrison, along with other community volunteers, has taken in horses from all over the evacuated area. They have been working daily to help families get their animals to a safe place. The horses stay at Aranaway Farm and other livestock have been taken to the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Morrison told Mariah Hill, a reporter with NewsWatch 12, “I enjoy helping people and I feel really good about helping the community.”
A photo of an evacuated horse at Aranaway Farm, taken by Madison Heth.
Morrison and her group of volunteers have been busy evacuating animals and helping families in need. The work of Morrison and others who are involved in being present in the community and helping people in need is something for the community to admire.
A photo of evacuated horses at Aranaway Farm, taken by Madison Heth.
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