After surviving the worst wildfire in Washington's recorded history, Cinder the black bear has returned to the wild.
The Carlton Complex moved fast in July 2014, scorching nearly everything in its path, leveling an entire town, and nearly killing the 1-and-a-half-year old bear that would become the Methow valley's symbol of hope.
"If Cinder can make it through this, then I can make it through this," said WDFW Bear & Cougar Specialist Rich Beausoleil.
At just 34 pounds, starving, and critically injured, Cinder was discovered crawling on her elbows and knees because extreme heat melted her paws.
Cinder's burns were treated at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in California. She was transferred to Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation Center near Boise.
All of her care was donated and cost Washington nothing except for the time of the WDFW biologists assigned to her case.
One year later, a truck carried Cinder back to a dirt road near Wenatchee. Biologists want to track Cinder's progress, so they tranquilized her Tuesday and fitted her with a collar and ear tag.
The collar will send signals several times a day. Through it, officials will be able to tell how Cinder
Looking on was Bill Inman, the pilot who volunteered to fly Cinder to burn treatment.
"The amazing part - that there was a crate big enough to fit her would fit in my plane," he smiled.
Cinder did not return to the wild alone, however. She befriended a younger, orphaned male while in Idaho rehab.
"Now for the last couple weeks, this male bear would not leave Cinder's side," Beausoleil said.
The two were prepared for release together.
Cinder's progress has even overwhelmed her caretakers.
"Amazing – isn't that something?" Beausoliel said. "We had some of these claws in the front – there were only two – now there's all five again."
Wildlife officials worry, the Methow will face worsening drought. Farther west, there's more water and food. It's why biologists chose a spot north of Leavenworth for the bears' new home.
On Wednesday morning, the two bears were transported to the spot off a dirt road. The last few moments were intentionally terrifying with Karelian bear dogs and explosives used to warn the bears that humans aren't their friends.
Cinder ran off, straight down the dirt road, but the younger male just peered out. After a little more coaxing from the dogs, he sprinted off as well.
In the distance, Cinder kept pace, but stopped briefly to look back one last time before disappearing, leaving paw prints in the dirt and hope in her tracks.
"This one bear is a source of inspiration for thousands of people," Beausoleli said.
Pre-order the e-book, "Cinder the Bear - A True Story of Rescue, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Return" by Barbara deRubertis
