Ranch in Arizona opens its stables for animal evacuees

TUCSON, Ariz. (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - In Arizona, the Cody Fire continues to rage near the town of Oracle, which is north of Tucson.

As of Sunday, over 1,200 acres have burned with only 83% containment, according to AZ.gov.

It's not just people and buildings in danger. Animals are also at risk, and some are too big for stable owners to easily evacuate.

However, one owner in Tucson is offering to help.

Sunkist Stables welcomed two ponies are their newest residents. They came from Oracle, where the Cody Fire was burning.

"They need some food and water, I think they're pretty happy. There's no smoke whirling around them right now," said David Lindsey, owner of Sunkist Stables

Lindsey has loved horses all his life. Growing up in Washington state, he's been through his own fair share of wildfires, so he knows what livestock owners are going through.

"You can't go and rent a hotel room and put them in there with you, so we want to be able to help out wherever we can," Lindsey expressed.

One of his boarders who takes care of horses on the property knew of someone living in Oracle whose ponies were distressed as the fire inched closer. The boarder coordinated the rescue.

"They went up there, went through the smoke and found what they needed to do and they were able to load up the two little horses and got them over there and that's how it happened," Lindsey shared. "Right now, we've got two, we have two. We have three stalls available and we want to be able to help who needs help."

Lindsey's staff is currently taking care of the ponies until they can return home.

With peak fire season continuing in Arizona, there's a chance other livestock and farm owners will need to evacuate in the future, but Lindsey remains willing to help.

"You know, horse people are just good people, and they look out for each other. And, even if it's not their horse or it's not self-interesting to them, they feel for the animals, and they want to help out where they can

Arizona has activated Stage 2 fire restrictions through at least next week. This means no campfires or smoking allowed on federal and state lands.