Calaveras County Sanctuary's Exotic Animals Safe After Gann Fire Threat
The Gann Fire in Calaveras County posed a significant threat to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary, which houses exotic animals such as tigers, bears, and elephants. The fire came within five miles of the sanctuary, but the efforts of Cal Fire and other agencies successfully prevented the flames from reaching the facility. Ed Stewart, co-founder of PAWS, returned from Oregon to oversee the situation, noting the rapid growth of the fire. Despite evacuation orders, moving the large animals was deemed too risky, and they were sheltered in place. The sanctuary's metal barns and clear surroundings provided some protection. Fire crews employed back-burn operations and dozer lines to keep the fire at bay. The animals, including an Asian elephant named Nick, remained calm and largely unaffected by the smoke. 
