Nugget doesn't do trailers.

So when a precautionary evacuation was issued Monday night for areas northeast of Simi Valley, the 22-year-old thoroughbred horse and her owner, Harlene Holeman, did the only thing they could do — walk four miles to safety.

"She won't get in that trailer for anything," said Darren Sewell, Holeman's son, who helped lead the horse down Tapo Canyon Road to the parking lot of the Simi Valley Library.

That's where the family and two other horses, Chappo and Booger, stayed overnight. They will be there until the precautionary evacuation is lifted, at least through this morning.

Holeman and her husband, Bob Theising, arrived at the library around 11 p.m. Monday. While people took large animals to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Holeman and her family endured at least one night with their animals in the windy parking lot. They had a few catnaps, but the wind kept waking them.

Holeman, her husband and son used the cabs of their two large pickups and a sleeping cab in the horse trailer as beds. They had permission from the city to stay there.

Simi Valley was not in immediate danger Tuesday. The fire that started near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County burned 1,750 acres before it was stopped near the Ventura County line. It was 80 percent contained on Tuesday evening, and full containment was expected this morning.

As of Tuesday evening, precautionary evacuations in the unincorporated areas of northeast Simi Valley had been lifted.

2003 fire created the fear

Nugget's fear of trailers is rooted in an earlier fire in the area.

The brown thoroughbred with a brown mane clipped her leg trying to get into a trailer as fire tore through the pasture that had been her home for 20 years.

That October 2003 fire would claim more than 108,000 acres, 37 homes, and the last ounce of Nugget's courage. The family ended up walking her down to the Simi Valley Library instead.

"When she hit her leg, that really did it," Holeman said. "There's no way we're ever putting her in a trailer again."

Back on Holeman's ranch, other family members were trying to clear the property of wind damage. Two trees fell on two cars parked on the property, Sewell said.

"My brother isn't too happy about that," he said.

Their home lost power from Sunday night through Tuesday morning.

The family thought the fire would have retreated enough to walk Nugget back to the ranch Tuesday afternoon. Instead, Holeman went back alone to the ranch for supplies and horse food, such as apples and hay.

About ready for a nap'

Also, she brought back a shovel and garbage bags to clean up after Nugget, who didn't move much.

Nugget stood tied to the white trailer, the cause of so much fear for her Tuesday afternoon. Her ribs were highlighted in the bright sun. Her eyes were droopy.

"I think she's about ready for a nap," Holeman said.

Holeman was reading a book while her two black cocker spaniels, Cobber and Shadow, rested in the backseat of the cab of her Ford F-150.

While a little inconvenienced, Holeman and her family were ahead of the fire this time. In 2003, the fire sneaked up so quickly they saw it rip over the horizon of their 5,000-acre property. It was not something they wanted to experience again.

"When the fires came in 2003, loading the horses and leaving was done on such a panic level," Holeman said. "This has been much easier."