Collier County man refuses evacuation to protect horses from wildfire

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Months of drought left Tom Hiten worried something could spark out on his property, and Monday, that fear became reality when acres of land, including his own, went up in flames.

Hiten's ranch off Stable Way was not just an evacuation zone. It was part of the more than 1,700 acres burning.

His property practically neighbors the Picayune Strand State Forest.

"That's part of the Picayune right there, and it was just 20 feet high flames," Hiten said.

He was told to leave, but he couldn't stay away.

"Eight o'clock, I said, 'I can't do it anymore. I got to come back because we didn't send our horses off," Hiten said. "Our horses are herded, and we left them here."

Hiten left the gates open so his horses could escape if needed. He trusted Splash, his team leader horse, to protect the herd.

"He knows where to go to protect the horses," Hiten said. "And we had the gates open so if they needed to get out, we would let him go out."

Firefighters stopped the fire before it reached the things Hiten loves most.

"I was literally right here, and I was with the firemen and talking to them, and they kept assuring me they're going to protect the property," Hiten said.

One tree stood untouched while another steps ahead, was charred. It was proof of what could have been.

"I was really nervous. It was, it was frightening," Hiten said. "It was, I really thought we're going to lose the ranch, but thanks to the firemen, all the firemen, they saved our ranch."

Wednesday night brought no fire, just ash. What followed was another good night back home on the ranch.

All five of Hiten's horses, his chickens, his home and his wife are safe. He credits the men and women who fought the fire for their safety.