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Story and photos from Patch 11 JUL 2024

EASTVALE, CA — Riverside County firefighters who rescued an owl from a burning barn in April got to set the young owl free this week after weeks of rehabilitation.

The barn owl, dubbed Archimedes after the ancient Greek mathematician, was released into the same area in Eastvale where firefighters first found him, according to Cal Fire.

"He's all better now, and our firefighters were able to re-release him yesterday evening in the same area he was rescued in! We love a happy ending," the fire department posted on X Thursday.

Firefighters rescued Archimedes from a burning barn in Eastvale in the 8500 block of Hellman Avenue on the morning of April 23. The 5,000-square-foot barn was vacant, save for the owl firefighters discovered inside.

Firefighters wrapped a blanket around the owl to rescue it as they awaited Riverside County Animal Services' arrival.

nimal Services field workers evaluated the owl and took custody of the creature.

"The owl is a hatchling," according to Animal Services spokesperson Arianne Murphy.

The mother was not found, and the young barn owl was evaluated and deemed not injured, so field workers transferred the raptor to a partner wildlife rehabilitation center.

"They will care for the young owl until it is old enough to be released back into the wild," Murphy said in April.

This is not the first barn owl to be rescued by firefighters in Southern California.

In October 2020, the Orange County Fire Authority rescued a badly burned owl during the Silverado Fire. Nicknamed Smokey, that owl has been in recovery for four years after its wings were severely burned.

After spending a year at the Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital, Smokey was transferred to the Orange County Bird of Prey Center for further rehabilitation until his new flight feathers and wings could accommodate flight.

According to OC Bird of Prey Center Executive Director Dr. Peggy Chase, "This is why we do what we do. Smokey the owl would have undoubtedly died and suffered greatly had they not rescued him that day."