Cat Thought Lost Survives Northern California Wildfire

HAYFORK (CBS13) – A family coming home to their burned property got at least one bit of good news: their cat somehow survived the flames.

The U.S. Forest Service says Hayfork residents Debi and Jeff Brusatori had to evacuate due to the Fork Complex Fire burning in Trinity County. Their tabby cat Ruthie Rosemary was loaded up into their car, but somehow managed to jump out and was left behind.

Five days later, the Brusatori's came back to their property and found the place severely burned. However, a familiar "mew" was soon heard from a under burned truck.

Ruthie Rosemary was discovered pretty much unharmed, save for some singed eyebrows and whiskers.

Firefighters aren't sure where the tabby waded out the fire, since the flames were hot enough to melt the aluminum parts of the truck she was found under.

As of Saturday night, the Fork Complex Fire has burned 18,252 and is only 17 percent contained.