Electrocuted bobcat starts brush fire

[CPOPE]

What a great trouble call this must have been!

Associated Press
PIRU, Calif. - A bobcat climbing a power pole got electrocuted and sparked a five-acre brush fire on Labor Day in California's Ventura County.

County fire Capt. Dan Preston told the Ventura County Star that the bobcat was apparently chasing an owl or another bird when it touched the power lines. The animal caught fire and fell to the ground in a rural area near Piru.

The fire was reported at 3:36 a.m. Monday atop Torrey Peak. More than 40 firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze about five hours later.

No homes were threatened and no one was hurt according to Preston.

The cat's charred body was found under the power lines.

[wtdoor67]

Worst thing that came out of that was catching all those Bobcats and outfitting them with rubber booties.

Knew a guy once who went on a trouble call. REC property. In the 80's the cats were bringing a lot for their skin. Said he found the dead cat at the foot of the pole. Replaced the fuse and sold the cat's skin for about $125 bucks. Best single callout he ever had.

Course Greggie used to do that with gators.