Don't Feed Sun Valley's Animals

When it comes to wildfires, animals have an instinct. They do not stick around to watch the fire. Instead they move to the fire’s perimeter and wait to return once the flames have cooled.

Unless the fire is super fast, animals are rarely casualties. The Castle Rock Fire in no exception; District Ranger Kurt Nelson and his crews have yet to find a burned carcass.

That being said, many animals have been displaced by the fire. Wood River Valley resident, Kaz Thea witnessed a bear cub running through her friend’s backyard, and, there are a few more dead deer on the side of the road than usual. Yet Nelson says that is not entirely fire related.

Due to the drought this summer, animals have had to travel farther down from the slopes in order to find edible vegetation. The need for food, and not the fire, is the main reason we see them more and more. They are moving from their daytime resting areas up top into the valley bottoms to feed on shrubs, Big Wood River vegetation, and alfalfa fields.

More displacement from the fire will occur this winter. The burned areas in Warm Springs, on the soft-faced slopes, was largely damaged during the fire and so the animals’ winter habitat has been impacted. As a result, there will be more animals in our yards and the Department of Fish and Game may have to step in with alternative feed and habitats.

So make sure to drive carefully, keep your eyes peeled for animals and please, don’t feed the bears!