The Bureau of Land Management captured 28 wild horses on the first day of an “emergency” helicopter roundup on the West Douglas Herd Area, 20 miles south of Rangely, Colo. No injuries were reported.

The 14 stallions, nine mares and five foals were the first of an estimated 450 wild horses that the agency plans to remove from their home range over the next 19-25 days.

The agency said that the roundup was necessary because of limited forage and water, deteriorating condition of the horses, and because the nearby Oil Springs Fire has burned summer habitat and limited access to water sources. The fire burned 12,613 acres starting June 18.

The West Douglas Herd Area has not been managed for wild horses since 1975, according to BLM.

Members of the public interested in viewing the roundup should call (970) 673-7768 for the next day’s meeting times and locations.