Owl with melted wing tips rescued after falling from burning tree in Arizona wildfire
A firefighter was working on a southern Arizona wildfire when he saw burning oak trees in the distance, park officials said.
Jason Shafer, a Sierra Vista firefighter, and another crew member headed toward the burning trees on May 7 to see if there were any hazards in the area, the Coronado National Forest said in a Facebook post.
After walking around the trees, Shafer saw a great horned owl peek out. As it tried to fly away, it crashed onto the hot ashes and debris.
Shafer picked up the owl and placed it in a box so he could figure out where to take it for medical care.
The owl was taken to the Civano Animal Hospital and Emergency Center in Tucson for an initial visit.
It was able to drink water and eat, park officials said. Although the bird didn’t suffer burns to its feet, the tips of its wing feathers melted.
The owl is expected to make a full recovery, but it could take a year before it’s fully healed and its wings regrow.
San Rafael Fire
The wildfire burning near the Arizona-Mexico border started May 7 in the San Rafael State Natural Area, according to a public fire information website.
The blaze spread to 11,620 acres as wind moved it through heavy dry grass. As of May 13, the fire is 88% contained.
Some communities were evacuated because of the fire on May 8.
The fire is still under investigation.
This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Owl with melted wing tips rescued after falling from burning tree in Arizona wildfire."
