LEXINGTON, Ky. — The immediate terror of rushing flames may have subsided across the rugged landscapes of northern Nevada, but for the region’s equines and their caretakers, a grueling and costly chapter has only just begun. Driven by a pressing, long-term need on the ground, the Brooke USA Foundation has officially reopened its Nevada Wildfire Disaster Relief Campaign.
The decision to breathe new life into the fundraising initiative comes on the heels of a transformative $10,000 contribution from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). This substantial philanthropic investment includes a $2,500 matching challenge designed to mobilize the broader equestrian community, inspiring further giving to aid horses and horse owners displaced or otherwise impacted by the catastrophic blazes.
The renewed campaign follows a successful initial one-week fundraising sprint that raised $6,000—comfortably surpassing its initial $5,000 goal, largely thanks to dollar-for-dollar matching support from trusted equine care brand Absorbine®. However, as emergency responders pack up their gear and local communities transition from active firefighting to the painstaking process of rehabilitation, partner organizations like Fleet of Angels have identified a wave of emerging, long-term needs. Recognizing that a community cannot rebuild overnight, Brooke USA is once again calling upon donors, equine enthusiasts, and compassionate citizens to lend a helping hand.
The Main Facts: Scale of Devastation and Ongoing Needs
The northern Nevada wildfires left a path of staggering destruction, scorching more than 134,000 acres of land. The sheer velocity and scale of the fires forced thousands of human residents to evacuate under duress, while hundreds of horses, mules, and other livestock had to be hastily rounded up and sent to emergency shelters.
While many of these animals have escaped immediate physical harm, the environmental fallout of such massive fires presents lingering dangers. Displaced equines face health hurdles ranging from smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion to physical injuries sustained during frantic evacuations. Furthermore, returning home often reveals a landscape stripped of natural resources and infrastructure.
The recovery phase requires heavy lifting—both literally and financially. Owners are now grappling with:
- Feed and Forage Deficits: Replacing destroyed or contaminated hay and securing reliable water supplies.
- Infrastructure Repair: Rebuilding miles of burned fencing, repairing damaged barns, and clearing hazardous debris.
- Temporary Housing: Procuring safe temporary stabling for horses whose home facilities were rendered uninhabitable.
- Veterinary Interventions: Covering rising veterinary costs for animals suffering from respiratory issues due to smoke, burns, or stress-induced ailments.
Chronology of the Crisis and Relief Efforts
To understand the urgency of Brooke USA’s reopened campaign, it is vital to trace the timeline of the disaster response and the subsequent philanthropic mobilization.
Phase 1: The Initial Emergency (Wildfires Peak)
As high winds and dry conditions fueled massive blazes across northern Nevada, over 134,000 acres were consumed. Local emergency networks, animal control officers, and volunteer organizations—most notably Fleet of Angels—pivoted into immediate disaster response mode. Evacuation centers filled rapidly with stranded livestock, and emergency hay drops were coordinated to feed animals cut off by road closures.
Phase 2: The First Response Campaign
Recognizing the acute suffering of local horse owners, the Brooke USA Foundation launched a targeted, one-week emergency relief campaign. Bolstered by a dollar-for-dollar matching grant from Absorbine®, the initial drive set a modest goal of $5,000 to fund immediate emergency supplies. Thanks to rapid public mobilization, the campaign exceeded expectations, closing out at $6,000.
Phase 3: Transition to Long-Term Recovery
As evacuees began returning to their properties, disaster coordinators realized that the initial funds, while vital, only scratched the surface. The infrastructure of rural northern Nevada had taken a severe beating. Fleet of Angels reported a continuous influx of requests for building materials, water storage tanks, and ongoing feed assistance.
Phase 4: The USEF Intervention and Campaign Reopening
Stepping into this widening gap, the United States Equestrian Federation announced a landmark $10,000 donation, incorporating a $2,500 matching challenge. Prompted by this extraordinary leadership gift, Brooke USA leadership made the strategic decision to officially reopen the Nevada Wildfire Disaster Relief Campaign, ensuring that assistance would not dry up just as the headlines began to fade.
Supporting Data and Collaborative Impact
The success of the Nevada Wildfire Disaster Relief Campaign relies heavily on a tightly coordinated network of organizations leveraging their unique strengths.
At the center of field operations is Fleet of Angels, an elite equine-centric disaster response organization. Fleet of Angels specializes in dispensing emergency grants and critical resources directly to horse owners during and after natural disasters. Rather than simply providing temporary shelter, their overarching mission is to keep horses safe and well-cared for while their human families work to regroup, repair, and recover.
Through the ongoing partnership between Brooke USA and Fleet of Angels, financial contributions are strategically deployed to cover tangible, ground-level requirements:
- Purchase and delivery of emergency hay and specialized feed.
- Subsidizing emergency veterinary care and medication fees.
- Funding temporary stabling solutions for displaced animals.
- Acquiring heavy-duty water tanks, water troughs, and pumps.
- Supplying fence-repair materials (posts, wire, panels) and essential barn tools.
The involvement of corporate and institutional heavyweights—such as the USEF and Absorbine®—provides the financial backbone necessary to scale these operations from localized aid to a regional recovery effort.
Official Responses and Leadership Perspectives
The equestrian community has long prided itself on rallying during times of crisis, a sentiment echoed strongly by leaders at the helm of the partnering organizations.
Tom O’Mara, president of the United States Equestrian Federation, emphasized the philosophical shift required when dealing with natural disasters: moving beyond immediate triage to foster genuine, sustainable recovery.
"When disaster strikes, the equestrian community comes together, and the devastating Nevada wildfires are a powerful reminder of why that matters," said Tom O’Mara, president of the United States Equestrian Federation. "We are proud to support Brooke USA and Fleet of Angels as they provide practical assistance to horses and their owners. Emergency funding is only the beginning; a long-term commitment toward recovery is essential. By helping with the resources owners need to care for their horses and rebuild, we can help keep horses safe and, whenever possible, with the people who love them."
Emily Dulin, Chief Executive Officer of the Brooke USA Foundation, expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity, noting that the reality on the ground demanded an extension of their fundraising efforts.
"We thought we had reached the end of this campaign, but the need on the ground has made it clear that there is more we can, and should, do," stated Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA. "This extraordinary gift from USEF gives us the opportunity to reopen the campaign and help even more horses and their owners. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership and for everyone who has already stepped forward."
Looking toward the weeks ahead, Dulin stressed the importance of maintaining public attention on regions recovering from natural disasters long after media outlets have moved on to other stories.
"The fires may be contained, but recovery continues," Dulin added. "That is when ongoing support matters most. We want to make sure these horses and their owners are not forgotten when the headlines fade. Brooke USA extends its gratitude to the United States Equestrian Federation, Absorbine®, and all those who have responded with compassion and generosity."
Broader Implications for Equine Disaster Preparedness
The northern Nevada wildfires and the subsequent philanthropic response highlight several critical implications for the future of equine welfare and disaster management in the United States.
1. The Reality of Climate-Driven Disasters
As prolonged droughts and rising temperatures continue to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires across the American West, rural agricultural communities and their livestock find themselves on the front lines. The sheer scale of a 134,000-acre burn zone demonstrates that existing regional emergency infrastructure can easily be overwhelmed, making national nonprofit partnerships indispensable.
2. The Cruciality of Post-Disaster Infrastructure
While public empathy frequently peaks during active emergency evacuations—when dramatic imagery of burning timber and fleeing animals floods social media—the true financial crisis often unfolds weeks later. The destruction of fences, pastures, and water sources threatens the economic viability of small horse breeding, boarding, and rescue operations. Campaigns that focus on infrastructure repair prevent long-term displacement, ensuring that owners are not forced to permanently surrender their animals due to prohibitive recovery costs.
3. Strengthening Industry Solidarity
The collaboration between national governing bodies (USEF), international welfare foundations (Brooke USA), specialized disaster response units (Fleet of Angels), and legacy corporate sponsors (Absorbine®) serves as a gold standard for cross-sector emergency response. By pooling resources, expertise, and communication channels, the equestrian industry proves that its safety net extends far beyond the competition ring, encompassing the welfare of every horse and horsekeeper in need.
How You Can Help
With the Nevada Wildfire Disaster Relief Campaign officially reopened, the Brooke USA Foundation is urging equine enthusiasts, riders, farm owners, and the general public to contribute to the recovery effort. Every dollar donated will go directly toward helping northern Nevada’s horses and their owners rebuild their lives, repair their properties, and secure essential feed and veterinary care.
To make a donation and learn more about how you can support the ongoing recovery in Nevada, please visit BrookeUSA.org/nevada-fires.
About the Partner Organizations
About Brooke USA Foundation
The Brooke USA Foundation raises funds to significantly improve the health, welfare, and productivity of working horses, donkeys, and mules and the people who depend on them around the world. By supporting sustainable programs that improve equine welfare, Brooke USA helps communities address poverty, food security, education, and standards of living both internationally and domestically during times of crisis.
About Fleet of Angels
Fleet of Angels is an equine-centric disaster response organization providing emergency grants and critical services to help horses and their owners during natural disasters and other emergencies. Its core goal is to keep horses safe and in good care with their families while owners regroup, repair, and recover from unforeseen catastrophes.
About the United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) serves as the national governing body for equestrian sport in the United States. Dedicated to protecting the welfare of horses and supporting the equestrian community nationwide, USEF sets the standard for sportsmanship, equine welfare, and competitive excellence across all equestrian disciplines.
About Absorbine®
Founded in 1892, Absorbine® is a globally trusted name in equine care. For well over a century, the company has provided high-quality products designed to support the health, comfort, and performance of horses, while remaining a steadfast supporter of the broader equestrian community and its charitable endeavors.
