Key points
- Los Angeles Jan 2025 wildfires are predicted to have cost in excess of $135bn (£109.7bn)
- Megafires are uncontrollable blazes that consume more than 100,000 acres of land
- 2020 bushfires in NSW, Australia killed an estimated 480 million animals
ISLAMABAD: According to World Health Organisation (WHO), wildfires are increasing around the globe in frequency, severity and duration, increasing the need to comprehend the health effects of wildfire exposure. The risk of wildfires grows in extremely dry conditions, such as drought, heat waves and during high winds.
In a matter of hours
According to NC State University News, wildfires can spread fast and burn thousands of acres of land in just a matter of hours. These blazes can not only wreak havoc on human communities, but they can also affect wildlife and their habitats.
“Our planet has burned for millenia so animals have inherent adaptations to deal with wildfires. However, as with any disturbance, there are always winners and losers following fires,” said Chris Moorman, a professor of fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology at NC State University.
Those conditions — and the effects on wildlife — depend on the intensity and frequency of wildfires, according to Moorman. Intensity refers to the amount of heat released by wildfires, while frequency refers to the recurrence of wildfires in a given area over time.
Our planet has burned for millenia so animals have inherent adaptations to deal with wildfires. However, as with any disturbance, there are always winners and losers following fires.” – Chris Moorman, a professor at NC State University
High-intensity wildfires can have dramatic effects on wildlife communities. Because the ground becomes hotter and drier due to increased light penetration, salamanders and other animals that prefer cool, moist microclimates may be displaced for a period of time.
“Megafires”
According to NC State University News report, with climate change creating warmer and sometimes drier conditions, wildfires are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration to become what scientists call “megafires.” Megafires are large-scale, uncontrollable blazes that consume more than 100,000 acres of land.
Professor Moorman said these extreme wildfires may increase the risk of wildlife injuries and mortalities. “In addition to the direct and immediate threats of intense wildfires to individual animals, more frequent megafires can lead to dramatic and permanent landscape transformation, which has long-term implications for many wildlife species.”
Frequent, low-intensity fires reduce understory vegetation and sometimes damage small trees, according to Moorman. These effects can displace birds and other animals that use the understory for food and cover, but only temporarily as the vegetation and leaf litter layer recover quickly.
The aftermath
According to BBC, the biggest danger for wildlife is the aftermath. But many species have evolved to rely on the opportunities created by others.
Stark images from the Californian wildfires have accompanied the headlines over the past few weeks. Alongside burned-out houses and belongings, footage emerged of a baby deer searching for safety amid the smoke, while one photo by Reuters captured a desert tortoise roaming the streets among evacuees.
But though just like humans, wildlife is susceptible to the immediate dangers of fire, from smoke inhalation to heat stress, research has found that there are often surprisingly few animal fatalities as a direct result of fire. Instead, wildlife tends to be most vulnerable in the immediate aftermath, when shelter and food are scarce.
$135 billion cost
Fire is a serious problem for humans, particularly when they build in fire-prone areas, and the losses of life, property and economies can be immense. The Los Angeles wildfires that occurred in January 2025 are predicted to have cost in excess of $135bn (£109.7bn), according to BBC.
However, it is not intrinsically a problem for wildlife. One study, which looked at the results of 31 research papers from 1984 to 2020, found that 65 per cent of studies did not report any animal fatalities as a direct result of fires. Many species have a strategy for evading the fire itself, ranging from simply running away to hiding in burrows underground or sheltering in the treetops.
Fiercer and larger
According to the BBC report, wildfires are becoming more common, fiercer and larger due to the changing climate as well as changes in land use and management practices. And that makes it harder even for well-adapted wildlife to cope and to perform their ecosystem roles.
Though research suggests overall mortality during the active phase of a wildfire is relatively low, increasingly ferocious and large-scale wildfires can affect wildlife in a number of ways. While the blaze is ongoing, it burns plants, injures and kills some animals directly, and displaces species that can move fast.
Impact on animals
According to The Fur-Bearers, for animals that rely on vegetation for food, a forest fire can destroy their food sources. This can lead to food shortages and malnutrition, and create competition in new areas with other wildlife. The loss of habitat may also drive wildlife to nearby urban environments, increasing their proximity to humans.
According to The International Fund for Animal Welfare, like all natural disasters these days, wildfires are becoming more prevalent across the globe. In recent years, we’ve seen tragedies unfold one after the other—like the 2020 bushfires in New South Wales, Australia that killed an estimated 480 million animals. And the North Complex wildfire in California that left more than 318,000 acres burned and displacing local wildlife like deer, bears and coyotes.
Loss of habitat
One of the most dangerous aspects of wildfires is their ability to spread quickly and wipe out critical habitat. Wildfires can burn through a forest at a speed of 10 kilometres (6 miles) an hour. Loss of habitat greatly impacts all animals. Species that annually return to the same breeding ground and nesting sites are especially threatened by wildfires. In some cases, it can take years for a species to recover after missing a breeding season and re-establishing a secure home.
Limited food and water sources
Food sources are often destroyed or contaminated during wildfires, leaving wildlife with no choice but to enter a new territory beyond their home range. As the animals travel in search of food and habitat, they are at risk of additional threats like vehicle strikes, attacks from domestic pets, and new predators. Once they arrive at a new territory, they often face territorial disputes and have to compete with other animals over limited resources. In times of disasters like wildfires, it’s very common to see wildlife in unusual places as they disperse in search of resources and safe land, according to The International Fund for Animal Welfare.
What you can do?
According to The International Fund for Animal Welfare, become more aware of your own natural surroundings to include your forests and bodies of water. Learn about your local wildlife and consult local authorities on how to reduce any negative impact of wildfires on wildlife habitats and well-being.
During a wildfire, provide wildlife space to flee by keeping your pets leashed or inside to prevent any conflict situations. Watch for wildlife fleeing the fires on or near roadways. If you live in an urban or suburban area, you may encounter more wildlife than normal since they are running to a safer place.
Support conservation efforts
If you come across an injured wild animal, contact local authorities before intervening so that they send experienced wildlife personnel to help or provide appropriate advice. Human interaction by well-meaning people can sometimes lead to further injuries for the animal, and puts the person at risk as well.
It is so important to perform regular population surveys and risk assessments wherever wildlife live before a fire or other natural disaster. Support local conservation efforts and advocate for your local groups that survey wildlife populations. Reach out local conservation groups to explore opportunities to create and maintain healthy ecosystems, suggests the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
