Cinder the Porcupine’s journey: One year after the Panhandle wildfires

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Among the countless animals who faced destruction from the Panhandle wildfires was a porcupine named Cinder.

“It’s such a great milestone coming from where she was originally when we picked her up in the middle of a field completely burned, completely defeated, to where she is now,” said Amee Smith, rehabber, Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

On March 9, 2024, the wildlife rescue team received a call from Oregon Forestry Service about an injured porcupine near Lake Meredith.

“There was just the tiniest little ball in the middle of all of this burned grass, and it was just heartbreaking,” said Smith.

Smith immediately took Cinder back to the rehabilitation center to receive the care she desperately needed.

When Cinder was brought into the center, her body was covered in burns, her quills were burned and she had trouble breathing from all the smoke inhalation.

“She had no fight left and you could pick her up and you could handle her and she just didn’t have the energy or the strength to fight,” said Smith.

Her journey to recovery would be one of patience, love and understanding. For several months, she received breathing treatments, fluids, medicated foot soaks and more.

“As she started getting better, she started to get a little more sassy, and so she would make little noises when we would move her,” said Smith.

Over time, Cinder’s body healed. Her quills gradually grew back, her wounds closed and soon, she was able to return to her natural instincts. Her curiosity reignited and her wild side began to shine through once more.

“As she’s gotten healthier and healed more, now she’s gotten quite sassy,” said Smith. “She does her little tail slaps and she doesn’t really want you to pick her up very much, and so you know if you reach to her she turns away and become her own little person.”

Cinder has transformed into a symbol of strength and hope—a living reminder of the power of recovery after disaster.

“Something we learned from this is the devastating effect that the wildfires do have on our wildlife and other animals. I think another amazing thing that we learned is how wonderful the community was to just wrap around and help, and that’s not just here in Texas,” said Smith.

Cinder’s journey from the ashes of the Panhandle wildfires to a full year of recovery is a testament to resilience—both hers and the community that helped her heal.

“She fought and stayed with us throughout this entire thing, and so we’re never going give up,” said Smith.

Last year, the rescue center launched the Cinder Camp Campaign, which helps sponsor kids whose families can’t afford Summer Camp.

If you would like to contribute to the cause, click here.

Starting on March 12-14, the rescue center is offering a mini camp for kids, and it will give them a sneak peak of what the Summer Camps will offer.

To continue following Cinder’s journey and the wildlife rescue center, visit here.

One year later, Cinder is not just surviving—she’s thriving.