ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — Firefighters rescued a large barn owl from the smoke and flames of the Silverado Fire that has consumed more than 13,000 acres in Southern California.
An Orange County Fire Authority crew on a brush rig found the bird of prey on Tuesday, KTLA reported.
“We’ll get you some help, buddy,” a firefighter can be heard saying in the video.
Fire officials shared video of the bird wrapped in a yellow firefighter’s jacket on social media.
The bird was taken to animal control and then to the Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital for treatment.
“This is our first victim of the Silverado Canyon Fires,” the animal hospital said on social media. “After an exam by our doctors, it was determined that most of his injuries are burned feathers. We are not sure how bad his smoke inhalation damage is.”
The Silverado Fire has burned 13,390 acres and is 40% contained, according to Cal Fire.