Search and Rescue Boots in the Los Angeles Fire
Disasters can strike at any moment, leaving communities in chaos and uncertainty. The recent 2025 Los Angeles fire displaced more than 200,000 people for weeks due to safety concerns, even after the blaze had died down. For many, that meant additional sadness and uncertainty for the animals they were forced to leave behind as they fled.
In the aftermath of the fire, hybrid teams of Animal Control Officers and trained Northern California Community Animal Response Team (CART) volunteers were allowed to enter the area ahead of the public. Together, they searched for pets and livestock that still needed evacuation or emergency care.
Nearby Napa CART President, Claudia Sonder, assisted with the animal rescue hotlines during this emergency and said this period reinforced the importance of proper PPE in disaster situations. While some volunteers in Los Angeles were wearing HAIX Airpower XR1 Pro boots with puncture-proof soles, not everyone on the scene was as well equipped.
"Folks went in without appropriate gear," Sonder said. "One of the responders had a nail puncture through their boot. This incident led to that day's mission being canceled because the responder became injured."
Because nails and debris are a big element of the dangers CART volunteers face during search and rescue missions, Sonder says she and her team have made HAIX boots a staple in their issued equipment.
"The word has spread that HAIX boots are the way to go."
What is a CART and What Do They Do?
CART stands for "Community Animal Response Team," a volunteer-led group trained in animal handling, sheltering, and assessment during and after disasters. Based in Napa County, California, Napa CART provides training in animal rescue and trauma care, education on disaster preparedness, and assistance sheltering or evacuating animals during a disaster. Volunteers receive training and undergo background checks before being sworn in by their counties as disaster service workers.
CARTs saw a rise in popularity in California in the wake of the 2017 Wine Country wildfires and the 2018 Camp Fire. Sonder says these events exposed how unprepared the communities were for the toll that disasters took on pets, livestock, and their owners. It was also the most intense period of her work with animal rescue.
"We were a fledgling CART at that time," Sonder said of Napa CART's work during the wine country wildfires. "We evacuated hundreds of horses and livestock in the middle of the night."
Since then, Napa CART has expanded to 148 active volunteers and seven participating animal shelters able to care for large animals and companion animals. But just as they've grown, so too have the challenges they face.
In 2020, Napa County had two back-to-back large-scale fires that left over 900 animals in the field for 14 days before people were allowed back into their homes. Napa CART worked alongside animal control to shelter, feed, and care for those animals until it was safe to return.
"The citizens of Napa Valley didn't have to worry," Sonder said. "They knew their animals were being attended to. I think that's an amazing gift to give to a community."
The Best Wildland Fire Boots for Disaster Areas
Sonder and her team at Napa CART have found that the Airpower XR1 Pro boots are the best way to keep their feet safe and dry during field missions like the California wildfires. As an NFPA 1977-certified boot, it meets all the waterproof and puncture-proof requirements for wildland firefighter boots and USAR boots.
"It comes up to mid-shin level, has nice thick soles, is easy to put on and take off, and we can clean them off pretty well," Sonder said. "I've had mine for about two and a half years, and I've put a lot of miles on them through mud, water, and you name it. They continue to do their job."
"That's what we recommend when anybody asks us."
Sonder is now working with the state organization Cal CARTs to standardize PPE for mutual aid and finalize roles, titles, and training requirements for CARTs. As they lay this groundwork, they must consider how to make the most of every dollar‐but there's no cutting corners when it comes to boots.
"CARTs don't have a lot of funding, but they need to keep their folks safe," Sonder said. "Boots are one of the most important components of PPE."
Disaster Preparedness, Education, and Awareness
Napa CART's work doesn't just start when disaster strikes. They spend most of the year helping people prepare for disasters through education and training.
"Our outreach component probably saves more lives than our response work," Sonder said. "During our 'quiet season,' when we're less likely to have fires, we spend a lot of time on community outreach, messaging how to get your animals prepared, how to get you prepared, and giving opportunities to get evacuation kits."
"We give people a 'red flag day' routine for fire weather," she said. "Our community has a routine where they gather their animals, fuel up their trucks and trailers, and have their go bags ready."
One of the biggest problems that can stem from an emergency evacuation is that people will go back for their pets and get hurt. This draws first responders away from their tasks and increases the danger of the situation.
On the other side, there are also spontaneous volunteers who want to help, but don't have the training or PPE. By working with a local CART, people will have the skills they need to help in an emergency, rather than becoming an incident themselves.
Sonder puts it best: "We always say we love animals‐and we do‐but the honest answer is that when you address animals, you save first responders' lives."
Advice for CARTs and Communities
As she sees CARTs expand across California, Sonder has advice for those looking to help their community.
"I think the most important thing for CARTs is to have a strong, healthy relationship with emergency managers, responders, and animal control officers in the county," she said.
"Meet with them regularly, understand their needs, and work with them. When that trust is earned and integration is solid, a CART can do amazing things."
Interested in joining a CART?
Do a search for CART in your area or call your local animal control and tell them you'd like to get involved in a local CART or DART (Disaster Animal Response Team). If none exist, consider starting one. Contact Napa CART to get a copy of their templates and materials.
