Adorable Rottweiler puppies roamed happily and wild inside a rescue helicopter after being saved from a raging wildfire in California.
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team member Trevor Skaggs and pilot Conner Smith were sent into the depths of the raging 383,000-acre Park Fire on Monday to save a mother Rottweiler and her four puppies, the law enforcement agency said in a statement. Facebook post.
The dog owner was evacuating Cohasset on July 24 when his truck broke down and they had to leave two adult dogs and four puppies behind.
The owner gave police the truck’s location, but rescue crews were unable to immediately access the canine family due to the massive blaze, which was only 14 percent contained as of Tuesday, according to the agency. Cal Fire.
Skaggs was dropped off about 1.5 miles from the truck’s location and “ran” there, BCSO said.
He found the mother and puppies alive but “tired and thirsty.” He gave them water and “bites of his protein bar” to give them energy for the trip home.
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team member Trevor Skaggs and pilot Conner Smith were sent into the depths of the raging 383,000-acre Park Fire on Monday to save a mother Rottweiler and her four puppies.
The dog owner was evacuating Cohasset on July 24 when his truck broke down and they had to leave two adult dogs and four puppies behind.
Dad dog was found dead.
“Trevor was able to get the five to follow him 1.5 miles to the helicopter,” BCSO said. “The puppies and their mother were then flown to the Chico Airport and are now being cared for by members of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group.”
It is unclear whether they will be reunited with their owner.
Photos shared by the Sheriff’s Office show the tiny pups roaming around the helicopter cabin, sleeping under seats and hugging the safety of the aircraft after a long few days.
One of the pups even acted as co-pilot as he sat on Skaggs’ lap for the entire trip.
Many took to the comments to thank Skaggs for his bravery and hard work.
“Oh my god. This brings tears to my eyes. My kids always ask me about the animals. I tell them there are amazing people out there saving them. You are all heroes,” wrote Lauren Gibba Gillespie.
He found the mother and puppies alive, but “tired and thirsty.” He gave them water and “bites of his protein bar” so they would have energy for the trip home. The dad dog was found dead.
The puppies and their mother look happy to have arrived safely at the Chico airport.
“I can’t stop crying… This is so bittersweet. Poor dad, but I’m glad they rescued mom and the babies. The livestock, pets, and wildlife must be so hot, thirsty, lost, scared, hurt… Oh my god! I can’t even think about it. This man is a hero!” wrote Andrea Santos.
“What a hero! You’ve made a horrible experience better,” Jill Paul wrote.
The park fire has grown to the size of Los Angeles since it began July 24 in Chico.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire had reached an estimated 880,000 acres, making it the fifth-largest on record in the state. The largest fire was the August Complex fire in August 2020, which reached more than 2.5 million acres.
The fire is burning grass, brush, mixed timber and dead vegetation, Cal Fire said.
More than 5,500 firefighters and personnel have been assigned to deal with the massive blaze, which “continues to burn very actively,” Cal Fire said.
One of the pups even acted as co-pilot as he sat on Skaggs’ lap for the entire trip.
“Due to steep terrain, wind activity and many inaccessible areas, the fire is moving uphill and isolated fires continue to occur,” he said. “Critically low fuel moisture levels and high winds have made suppressing the spread of the fire difficult.
‘The perimeter of the park fire is 260 miles, meaning it has burned more than three times the surface area of Lake Tahoe.’
The fire has scorched 53,000 acres in Butte County and more than 330,000 in Tehama County. Evacuation orders have been issued in both areas.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who endorsed Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, declared a state of emergency Friday in Butte and Tehama counties and Pluma County over the Gold Complex Fire.
“We are using every tool available to protect lives and property as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to battle these challenging fires,” Newsom said in a statement.
‘Stay safe and remain vigilant for guidance from local authorities as dangerous fire-prone weather conditions continue.’
The Park Fire (pictured Monday) has grown to the size of Los Angeles since it began July 24 in Chico. As of Tuesday morning, it was only 14 percent contained.
The fire (pictured Monday) has reached 383,619 acres as of Tuesday morning, making it the fifth-largest ever seen in the state. The largest fire was the August Complex in August 2020, which reached more than 1 million acres.
A California sex offender was arrested for allegedly starting the park fire, the largest this year
The proclamation will make it easier to access unemployment benefits and eliminate fees to replace driver’s licenses and records, such as birth and marriage certificates.
A California sex offender has been arrested for allegedly starting the park fire, the largest this year.
Ronnie Stout II, 42, was caught pushing his burning car into a ravine at the top of Bidwell Park near the city of Chico on Wednesday, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office said.
The vehicle then fell 60 feet down an embankment, causing the fire.
Stout was reportedly seen leaving the site and mingling with park visitors as the fire spread rapidly.
Authorities finally identified the suspect early Thursday morning and took him into custody.