Chimpanzees survive close call with Cle Elum wildfire
»Play Video
CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Last month's Taylor Bridge Fire outside of Cle Elum swallowed up dozens of homes and threw hundreds of lives into turmoil.
The people who operate Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest were luckier than most, but it was a close call and the experience was harrowing.
The sanctuary is home to Jamie, Negra, Foxy and other chimps who were retired and rescued after a lifetime in small rooms, used as guinea pigs for bio-medical research.
JB Mulcahey and Dianna Goodrich came up with the idea of the sanctuary and then built it. Then last month's fire arrived and their dream and their friends nearly went up in smoke.
"At the time, all you can think about is your own safety and the safety of the chimps," Mulcahey said.
Everyone, including the chimps, watched as fire scorched a portion of the sanctuary.
"They were all at the windows watching the fire, watching the firemen, all the trucks in the driveway," Mulcahey said. "Without a sound, they all looked out the window and watched the whole thing."
A large chunk of the outdoor play area burned, and the fire virtually surrounded the sanctuary. Then the roof on Mulcahey and Goodrich's house caught fire.
"In a way, we had just given up on the house," Goodrich said. "But it just didn't matter as long as the chimps were ok."
Water-dropping helicopters saved the house, and together with firefighters they saved the sanctuary and the lives of several chimps that had already been through enough.
The chimps are just now returning outdoors, but some are hesitant.
"You know, the chimps have been through a lot in their lives," Goodrich said. "They've lived through many worse things than this in their years in bio-medical research and to have something other threaten that after all of that was, it was sad."
The people who operate Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest were luckier than most, but it was a close call and the experience was harrowing.
The sanctuary is home to Jamie, Negra, Foxy and other chimps who were retired and rescued after a lifetime in small rooms, used as guinea pigs for bio-medical research.
JB Mulcahey and Dianna Goodrich came up with the idea of the sanctuary and then built it. Then last month's fire arrived and their dream and their friends nearly went up in smoke.
"At the time, all you can think about is your own safety and the safety of the chimps," Mulcahey said.
Everyone, including the chimps, watched as fire scorched a portion of the sanctuary.
"They were all at the windows watching the fire, watching the firemen, all the trucks in the driveway," Mulcahey said. "Without a sound, they all looked out the window and watched the whole thing."
A large chunk of the outdoor play area burned, and the fire virtually surrounded the sanctuary. Then the roof on Mulcahey and Goodrich's house caught fire.
"In a way, we had just given up on the house," Goodrich said. "But it just didn't matter as long as the chimps were ok."
Water-dropping helicopters saved the house, and together with firefighters they saved the sanctuary and the lives of several chimps that had already been through enough.
The chimps are just now returning outdoors, but some are hesitant.
"You know, the chimps have been through a lot in their lives," Goodrich said. "They've lived through many worse things than this in their years in bio-medical research and to have something other threaten that after all of that was, it was sad."
Yes, God Bless the firefighters and volunteers. And God has a special place in Heaven for JB and Diana for the work they have done for these chimps.
I know it has already been said but great work firefighters and rescue workers!
I've been up past the Chimp house many times during the fires (Volunteer work)...Also seen some very puzzled deer, elk and dogs in the area......All types of animals were very affected by this fire......