2 bear cubs rescued from Chelan wildfire on track for release

Bear cubs rescued from Twenty Five Mile wildfire are recovering

The bears are doing well and are getting ready to be released into the wild in spring

CHELAN, Wash. - Two bear cubs who were rescued from the Twenty Five Mile Fire in Chelan this summer are on track to be released back into the wild.

Rescuers believe the cubs were unable to keep up with their mother while trying to flee the fire, or climbed up a tree, and became trapped by the flames.

When they were rescued and brought to Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), they could barely walk and they suffered from second-degree burns and smoke inhalation.

Their remarkable survival story and the dedication of those taking care of them was even featured in a recent episode of "Saving the Wild."

"It was heartbreaking to see bears that had been through smoke inhalation and burns," said "Saving the Wild" host Peter Gros. "The fact that they made it here to PAWS, and got the kind of treatment they did. I thought the ability for them to be released into the wild was questionable. It turns out, they are completely healed. They're healthy. They don't have lung issues from the smoke that they inhaled and they're gonna be ready to go in the spring, it looks like."

Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram