Dan Alpiner, a helicopter pilot, has been assisting in the fight against the enormous Creek Fire that is now raging in the wilds of central California.
The other day, Alpiner had a startling reminder of whose environment he and other fire personnel have been fighting so hard to preserve as he dropped bucket after bucket of water on the blaze.
When Alpiner observed a sudden movement from an open side window, he was approximately 200 feet above the ground in his helicopter, ready to dump a bucket of water on the fire.
Alpiner told The Dodo, “I noticed this flutter out of the corner of my eye.” I turned to look, a bit alarmed, and we met eyes.
Amazingly, a wild owl had unexpectedly flown onto the plane and was settling on the seat next to Alpiner.
Alpiner remarked, “He just kind of calmed out.” “I was genuinely shocked. He seemed to just want to say hello since he was so amiable.”
Alpiner continued on as usual, telling his new copilot, “Well, let’s go do some work here, buddy,” and continuing the chore of putting out the fire.
For two refills and drops, the owl stayed at Alpiner’s side. Then, not far from where the helicopter had been when he had entered, he soared out the window.
Alpiner is unsure of how to interpret that amazing meeting, but he won’t soon forget it.
“I’m still having trouble understanding it. Just unbelievable, “said Alpiner. It was a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.
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