How a Tahoe refuge saved owls, coyotes and raccoons from wildfire

Wildfires take a devastating toll on local animals. A Lake Tahoe refuge made sure its creatures didn't suffer the same fate

Greg Erfani watched the flames grow bigger and bigger as they crept toward Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, the animal refuge he helps run in South Lake Tahoe. He feared not only for himself but for the menagerie of raccoons, coyotes, owls and porcupines inside. Luckily, the staff had a plan.

They coaxed animals into transport crates, sometimes with inventive methods. The owl's treat is a piece of salmon. You know the owl is going to go in the cage to get the piece of salmon," Erfani said. Being prepared made all the difference. Within an hour and a half we had evacuated all animals, all staff, and all volunteers from our facility."