08/26/2026
In addition to taking steps to keep you and your family safe, wildfire safety means giving wildlife space.
After a wildfire you may see deer, elk, birds, and other wild animals in unfamiliar places. They may be displaced, but they are resilient. Most wildlife will return to burned areas soon after a fire passes.
Please help by remembering:
• Do not feed or give water to wildlife. It can keep wild animals in unsuitable areas instead of encouraging them to move on to more appropriate habitat. Feeding can also bring groups of animals together where they can spread disease to one another. In Washington, it is illegal to feed deer, elk, or moose, or leave out feed that attracts them. It is also illegal to feed black bears or other large carnivores.
• Do not approach, handle, or attempt to move wild animals. Injured or frightened animals can be unpredictable. Give them an escape route and move to a safe distance. If an animal is obviously ill or injured, contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Never attempt to care for wild animals yourself; it can make the situation worse.
• To report unusual wildlife behavior, contact WDFW at 360-902-2515 or [email protected].
WDFW has implemented fire restrictions on many WDFW-managed lands. Refer to our wildfire information webpage for details about current closures or restrictions: wdfw.wa.gov/about/wdfw-lands/wildfire.
Photo by WDFW of a bird flying through smoke near a fire.
