The Station Fire has destroyed thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in the Angeles National Forest and along with this, has killed hundreds of animals that could not outrun its flames.
Studies have shown that most birds and larger animals can escape slow burning wildfires, but the Station Fire, as it has been noted, is an angry beast often racing up hills thick with vegetation and destroying everything in its path.
This means many animals, big and small, have been lost. We probably will not have a true estimate until the flames are out and wildlife experts can move in and survey the damage.
Right now, injured wildlife rescued by firefighters and others are being brought to the Pasadena Humane Society, one of the 106 licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities throughout California.
The head of the Pasadena facility told NBC4 that she expects more wild animals to be brought in after the fire is out. Meanwhile, this facility has cared for 375 evacuated pets.
The facility has already received phone calls from homeowners complaining about the deer eating their flowers. It is advising people not to approach any wild animal that’s escaped from the fire zone, but to call either the humane society or animal control.
The California Department of Fish and Game advises people who come across injured or orphaned big game animals such as deer, bears or mountain lions that they must contact the DFG and not just call wildlife rehabilitation centers. The rehabilitation centers can take care of smaller animals that are injured or orphaned.
Direct care of the animals is not the only concern of biologists. The impact of this massive fire may go on for a long time after it is out. This fire destroyed many trees and some ecologists are concerned it may have a domino effect: the release of greenhouse gases from the fire adding to climate warming.
This would spell even trouble for wild animals and birds because warmer weather creates drier conditions which could lead to even more wildfires as well as pest invasions that destroy trees.
Aside from the destruction on the ground, fire has also burned through an important bird area of Southern California in the Big Tujunga Wash. The area is home to Lesser Nighthawk, Greater Roadrunner, Costa’s Hummingbird, Cactus Wren and other species.
They will have to find other nesting areas until their habitat grows back.
