A devastating forest fire in Los Angeles County, USA, has caused enormous damage to humans and animals. Firefighters are still working to contain the fire.
gave The most devastating fire in Los Angeles history Spread continues, forcing more evacuations. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ashes, leaving the animals nowhere to go.
Footage from Altadena and Topanga Canyon shows deer, mountain lions and other animals fleeing the fire, highlighting the dangerous situation for local wildlife.
According to Miguel Ardiana, a wildlife biologist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, immediate risks include burning, smoke inhalation, and habitat destruction. However, the long-term effects on animal populations can be even more severe.
Territorial animals like bobcats face difficult choices as fires destroy their homes. When forced to leave their territories, they may encounter predators or other threats in unfamiliar areas. “They chose this area for a reason. Now, they are forced into vulnerable situations, especially if they are young,” Ardenna said. High Country News.
Even species adapted to urban environments, such as bats, are losing their limited shelters, including trees, rooftops and freeway underpasses. “Yes, they can fly, but where do they fly?” Ardiana asks.
Heartbreaking @NBCLA Footage shows a deer running across Altadena as the wildfire burns more than 10,000 acres. i pic.twitter.com/kBMeoa38SP
— Jacob Wheeler (@JWheelertv) January 8, 2025
The California condor threatened.
Biologist and wildlife host Jeff Corwin said TMZ that wildfires are an “unprecedented disaster” for animals, especially endangered species like the California condor.
With only 350 condors left in the wild and many of them living in areas directly affected by the fires, their populations could face catastrophic losses, Corwin said.
Bears and mountain lions, which also live in burned areas, face migration in search of food, water and shelter. This movement may lead to further conflicts between wildlife and humans.
Corwin warned residents returning to fire-affected areas to avoid approaching large injured animals and to contact wildlife officials instead.
🥹 It’s not just humans running from the flames. A mountain lion and two cubs are seen on Topanga Canyon Blvd. Fleeing where the Palisades fire destroyed hundreds of homes. 💔
[hollywood hills / Beverly Hills / Los Angeles / wildlife ] pic.twitter.com/SCO7w449Rs— Heart of the Streets 🩶 (@HOTS_twt) January 9, 2025
Animal shelters are full.
While many residents have fled with their pets, others were unable to bring their animals, leaving them behind in the rush to evacuate.
Animal shelters in the area are working tirelessly to care for abandoned animals.
Pasadena Humane, one of the emergency relief shelters, has taken in more than 400 animals since the wildfires began.
“We are starting to see many animals with burns and injuries. These animals are being treated in our ICU. We are providing them with pain medication, wound care, fluids and oxygen as needed. ” said the animal shelter. Facebook post.
Shelters are struggling to meet the needs of the animals. Rescue teams and volunteers are working to reunite pets with their owners and care for those without homes.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control issued a List of animal shelters which will take animals affected by evacuation orders.
A person rescued an injured dog from the wreckage.
A man rescued a stray dog ​​from the rubble of a burnt-out neighborhood on Thursday.
Rick Miller discovered the injured dog while checking on a friend’s home in Altadena, one of the wildfire-ravaged areas. The dog, with light colored fur and brown eyes, looked scared and worried.
Miller acted quickly, comforting the animal by placing a blanket over it and figuring out how to safely remove the dog from the dangerous area.
“It’s about taking care of each other,” Miller told CNN, tearing up as she described the emotional scene. “Everybody needs help right now.”
Miller brought the dog to Pasadena Humane, where he was treated for burns and smoke inhalation. It is unclear whether the dog had an owner or was a stray.
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