“He just kind of chilled out,” Alpiner said. “I was really surprised. He was super friendly — like he just wanted to say hi.”
Determined to continue the task of fighting the fire, Alpiner carried on as normal, telling his new copilot: “Well, let’s go do some work here, buddy.”
The owl remained by Alpiner’s side for two refillings and drops. He then flew out the window not far from the spot the helicopter had been when he entered.
Alpiner’s not sure what to make of that unbelievable encounter, but it’s one he’ll never forget.
“I’m still trying to comprehend it. It was just unreal,” Alpiner said. “It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of things.”