The wildfires out West have burned hundreds of buildings, rousted thousands of people from their homes and caused millions of dollars in property damage. But people are not the only ones being burned out. Many animals are also being forced to flee the flames.
Most animals actually escape the fires.
The real test for the animals comes later, when the landscape is transformed and their homes look nothing like they used to, say fire and wildlife ecologists. But even so, woodland and grassland animals have been living with a cycle of fire and regrowth for ages. In the short term, some animals will be displaced. Many burned-out animals simply find a new place to live. But at the same time, the scorched area often blooms as a perfect new home for more animals.