Sometimes, even in the midst of a raging wildfire, there's a silver -- or in this case, white -- lining.

In the middle of the Royal Gorge Fire that would destroy 3,218 acres, evacuate a prison of nearly 1,000 inmates and destroy over 20 structures, a rare white buffalo calf was born in the park.

"He's a pretty white bull calf, sired by the park's nine-year-old white buffalo bull, Chief Silver Bullet," said Peggy Gair, public relations manager for Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

The bull calf was aptly named "Smokey," and born at 5:30 a.m. last Saturday.

According to Gair, about 25 percent of the park's calves are born white because of Chief Silver Bullet.

"The park's wildlife park has a small herd of buffalo, elk, and bighorn sheep, all miracleously survived the fire that swept through the park and across the Royal Gorge. They are all in very good shape, and are continued to be fed and watered until they can be safely moved," said Gair.

The day before the fire broke out, the park also welcomed a brown bull calf by the same father who was named "Fireball."
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