Rottweiler pups, mom saved from truck as California's Park Fire raged near
Four Rottweiler puppies and their mother are now safe after spending three days trapped inside a truck as a raging northern California fire grew closer. The father of the puppies did not survive.
While evacuating from the record-breaking Park Fire on Wednesday afternoon, the owner of the dogs left the canine family behind when the truck they were all in stopped working, the Butte County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
The owner called officials to give them the truck's location but it wasn't immediately accessible because of the fire.
It wasn't until Saturday that sheriff's pilot Conner Smith was able to fly a helicopter to the area. Officer Trevor Skaggs ran 1.5 miles to the truck, where he found the mother and her puppies very tired and very thirsty, the sheriff's office said.
Skaggs gave the dogs water and pieces of a protein bar and led them back to the helicopter. The family was taken to Chico Airport and is now being cared for by an animal disaster group.
"It’s been a horrific few days for our community and we are grateful to be able to share this amazing story," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook.
Puppies are happy and health since harrowing experience
The sheriff's office posted a video of the four puppies and their mother following Skaggs on the 1.5-mile journey back to the helicopter.
The department encouraged people to donate to the search and rescue team to keep free services available to Butte County residents.
KRCR-TV reporter Max Tedford shared a video on Facebook on Monday as he visited the puppies, who appeared happy, healthy and filled with energy.
Park Fire burns over 370,000 acres after suspected arson
The Park Fire is the biggest blaze this year and the sixth largest in California history. It is expected to take the fifth spot although weather conditions are improving.
The suspected arson has burned more than 370,000 acre near the college town of Chico and is just 12% contained. Thousands of firefighters have battled the flames over the weekend since the fire started Wednesday.
Authorities say Ronnie Stout allegedly caused the fire by pushing a burning car into a gully in Chico before fleeing the scene. The 42-year-old appeared in court Monday following his Thursday arrest and has been charged with felony arson of an inhabited structure or property.
Stout's attorney Nicole Diamond told USA TODAY Monday that she is currently unable to comment on the case. The next arraignment hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Contributing: Claire Thornton and Jorge L. Ortiz