BOISE, Idaho — On Tuesday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gathered 38 wild horses north of Emmett as the Paddock Fire burned their grazing land.
The BLM said the decision to gather the wild horses was made to ensure their survival, as the Paddock Fire burned 187,185 acres and nearly the entire Four Mile Herd Management Area.
As it stands, BLM said the vegetation could not sustain the animals through the winter.
"All horses were in excellent health and were thoroughly inspected by a veterinarian both during the gather and after their transport to the temporary holding facility," BLM said in a news release. "Thankfully, none of the horses sustained any injuries from the fires."
The BLM said the horses will be temporarily housed and cared for by the BLM Boise Wild Horse Off-Range Corral.
Another gathering of roughly 40 wild horses is planned for early September in the Sands Basin HMA near Marsing. BLM said the Jump Fire had burned 25,720 acres and nearly 90% of the HMA area.
BLM said the public can visit the gathered wild horses later in the fall.
All the horses will be returned to their HMAs once the land recovers, authorities said.
