Wildlife Reacting To Waldo Fire

Fires will push animals out of their natural habitats, especially fires as large as the Waldo Canyon Fire and High Park Fire.

According to Michael Seraphin, spokesperson for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there are some misconceptions as to how animals will react to a wildfire.

Seraphin said it is commonly believed a wildfire will result in a sharp increase in wildlife sightings around urban areas as the animals flee the fire. He clarified that this is not necessarily the case.

“While the animals do flee the fire zone, they don’t necessarily flee long distances and oftentimes when they have an opportunity they will return back into the fire zone because that’s their normal habitat,” said Seraphin.

KRDO Newschannel 13 spoke with non-evacuated neighborhoods near the Waldo Canyon Fire, these residents said the animals they see are not acting peculiar and they are not seeing an influx of wildlife as a result of the blaze.

“Everything has been the same before the fire and right now during the fire … everything looks pretty normal,” said the Anderson family, their home is located in the Peregrine neighborhood.

Seraphin said the results of a wildfire can actually include an eventual increase in animal activity.

“The fire zones green up surprisingly fast after an event like this. In the long run, it’s really good for wildlife because it changes the forest canopy into more of a diverse canopy with different grasses and the wildlife will then return,” said Seraphin.

Seraphin added the recent string of extremely hot afternoon temperatures is causing stress and irritation to the animals.

For that reason, Seraphin advises residents to leave the wildlife alone.

As a result of the daytime heat, animals are also becoming more active at night. Seraphin suggests residents use extreme caution when driving at night.