And our thanks to the Aussies, too! I remember them coming to WY to help out, before.

This from Laurel's area: The wildfire in Butte County destroyed at least 50 homes earlier in the week and has sent as many as 10,000 residents fleeing.

And, if you'd like to help out with a donation for the pets which are being looked after, apart from their families, look at what PetSmart is doing:

"We received a request for assistance from Butte County Animal Control in northern California, where two temporary shelters have already been set up to house hundreds of companion animals evacuated because of the fires," said Susana Della Maddalena, Vice President and Executive Director of PetSmart Charities. "Disaster situations such as this one are the very reason that we created our Emergency Relief Waggin' program in 2007. Its purpose is to assist the animal victims of natural and manmade disasters."
More than 500 companion animals are being housed in two temporary shelters in the fire zone -- one at a high school in Oroville and another at a church in the city of Chico, 23 miles northwest of Oroville.
"Many of these animals evacuated with their families at a moment's notice, so the need for items such as bowls, bedding, crates, leashes, litterboxes, kitty litter and other basic supplies is great," Della Maddalena added. "In addition, the Emergency Relief Waggin' has supplies on board that will assist the human responders in operating the temporary animal shelters, including an air conditioning unit, a generator and lights."
Valley pet lovers who want to help animals in need during this and future disasters can make a tax-deductible donation in one of two ways:

-- Make a credit card donation via the PetSmart Charities Web site at:
    www.PetSmartCharities.org
-- Mail in a check donation directly to: PetSmart Charities, Attn:
    Emergency Relief, 19601 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027 (Please write
    "Emergency Relief" in the memo section on the check.)


Phoenix-based PetSmart Charities provides immediate emergency relief funding and supplies to assist pets affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, fire and other natural disasters throughout the United States. PetSmart Charities also provides emergency relief for pet victims of man-made emergencies including pet hoarding situations and puppy mill rescues. Funds raised will be used to aid pets affected by this rescue effort and other future disasters.