The tale of one tough bird who’s giving new meaning to the term “firebird.”
Teaser: Amid the ashes of a massive Minnesota wildfire that destroyed 150 homes and scorched 50 miles of forest, firefighters found an unlikely survivor – Reba the chicken, clucking and unharmed. Her miraculous escape has brought hope and smiles to a community recovering from disaster, proving that sometimes, even a chicken can be a hero.
- Blaze Aftermath: The wildfire near Two Harbors, MN was devastating – dozens of families lost everything. But in the rubble, firefighters discovered Reba, a pet chicken, alive and well against all odds.
- Rescue Story: Crews scooped up the soot-covered but uninjured hen and reunited her with her owner. The story of Reba’s survival spread quickly, lifting spirits as a symbol of resilience (and providing a rare bit of good news amid tragedy).
- Community Mascot: Reba has since become the unofficial mascot of wildfire recovery efforts. Children drew pictures of her, local news dubbed her “the Miracle Hen,” and she even “co-authored” a safety PSA about having an evacuation plan for pets and livestock. Happy clucks all around!
Write-Up: When firefighters combed through the charred remains of a northern Minnesota wildfire this past week, they didn’t expect to find much beyond embers. Imagine their surprise when they stumbled upon a little hen, feathers singed but very much alive, calmly poking around the debris. They named her Reba the chicken, and her story is nothing short of remarkable. The wildfire, which raged through communities near Two Harbors, torched around 150 homes and blackened over 50 miles of forest. It was a ferocious blaze fueled by dry conditions. Many residents barely escaped with their lives, some unable to grab more than a photo album or a pet on the way out. Reba’s family farm was directly in the fire’s path. When the flames swept through, they feared all their animals were lost. Days later, as firefighters did a sweep, one crew member heard a faint clucking amid the silence of ash. They followed the sound and there was Reba – a bit sooty, a tad dazed, but otherwise perfectly fine, strutting around like it was just another Tuesday. The firefighters gently scooped her up, gave her some water, and later reunited her with her utterly astonished (and overjoyed) owners. Reba’s survival quickly became a bright spot in a dark time. Neighbors shared the news on community Facebook pages: “If Reba can make it, we will too!” She even gained a fan club; local kids drew pictures of Reba with a little superhero cape on, dubbing her “Cluck Rogers” and “Wonder Hen.” The town’s feed store started offering “Reba’s Wildfire Mix” feed (proceeds going to fire relief). On a more serious note, animal experts pointed out that Reba likely found a small pocket of safety – maybe under a metal trough or in a ditch – where the fire jumped over, sparing her. It’s a reminder that miracles can hide in the unlikeliest corners. As the community rebuilds, Reba continues to peck around her new coop, blissfully unaware of the hope she’s inspired. In a thank-you post, her owner wrote: “Our sweet chicken surviving gave us a reason to smile and believe in better days ahead.” Sometimes, hope is a feathery thing with a clucking voice.
Sources:- “Wildfire torched homes, but didn’t kill Reba the chicken” (headline and context of Reba surviving massive MN wildfire).
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