[ECO]Help Wildlife and Ecosystems Recover from the LA Fires

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You can help wildlife and ecosystems recover from the LA fires in a variety of ways. Please see below for details.

The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires have created a crisis for local wildlife and natural habitats, marking one of the most significant ecological disasters in the region’s recent history. Two major blazes – the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire – have consumed over 40,000 acres since igniting on January 7, forcing more than 200,000 people to evacuate and destroying over 12,401 structures. The fires’ rapid spread has created a devastating ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem, threatening countless species and their habitats.

Local wildlife rescue organizations are working around the clock to save injured and displaced animals, operating under extremely challenging conditions as the fires continue to burn. Pasadena Humane has already taken in more than 300 animals, including dogs, cats, peacocks, and even baby raccoons. Their facilities are operating at maximum capacity, with staff and volunteers working extended shifts to provide emergency care to both domestic pets and wildlife seeking refuge from the flames.

The International Fund for Animal ******** (IFAW) has stepped in with emergency funding. These grants support local organizations providing critical care to injured wildlife and temporary homes for displaced animals, enabling them to purchase essential medical supplies, expand their facilities, and bring in additional veterinary staff to handle the overwhelming number of animals requiring care. You can click

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to visit the IFAW website and

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Smaller, less mobile creatures face the greatest survival challenges in this altered landscape. While larger animals like deer can sometimes outrun the flames, species such as salamanders and snails move too slowly to escape the rapidly advancing fires. Fish in rivers, ponds and lagoons are susceptible to contaminated runoff water or mudslides from now unstable slopes. This could lead to local extinctions of some species, particularly those that were already struggling with habitat loss before the fires. The loss of these species could create cascading effects throughout the food web, disrupting delicate ecological balances that have developed over centuries.

Topanga Creek, one of the last strongholds for endangered fish in the Santa Monica Mountains, was in the direct path of the Palisades Fire. The riparian corridor and water quality of the stream have been decimated from the town to the ocean – over 4 river miles of critical habitat of the endangered saltwater goby and the Southern Steelhead Trout. The

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is organizing a massive rescue operation for these creatures, moving them to locations until they can be released safely back into their native ecosystem. If you would like to volunteer or donate, please visit the

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Southern Steelhead Trout, once prized by fishermen are now an endangered species. Image Liquid Art, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Local wildlife centers are asking for public support as they face challenges in their rescue and rehabilitation efforts. They need volunteers, supplies, and donations to continue their vital work. The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center has set up temporary facilities to handle the influx of injured animals. Resources are stretched thin as they attempt to care for hundreds of affected creatures. They

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Pasadena Humane has been leading emergency response efforts during the January 2025 fires. Their team has taken in over 300 animals, including both pets and wildlife fleeing from the flames. Operating at full capacity, their staff and volunteers provide emergency veterinary care, temporary shelter, and rehabilitation services. For the most current information about their needs and how to support their efforts visit the

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Experts estimate it could take years to see wildlife and ecosystems recover from the LA fires, requiring sustained commitment from organizations and communities. While some areas may bounce back within months, others could take decades to return to their previous state. Scientists plan to monitor how different species adapt and survive, particularly in severely burned regions. Their findings will help develop more effective conservation strategies for future fire events.

The fires have highlighted the increasingly fragile balance between urban areas and wildlife habitats in Southern California. As climate change increases the risk of severe fires, protecting these ecosystems becomes increasingly challenging, requiring new approaches to conservation and wildlife management. The recovery process will serve as a critical case study for understanding how ecosystems respond to severe disturbance in an era of rapid environmental change.

How You Can Help

The wildlife rescue and habitat restoration efforts need ongoing community support. Here are ways you can make a difference:

Donate

• Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains:
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• Pasadena Humane:
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• Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center:
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• International Fund for Animal ******** (IFAW):
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Volunteer

• Volunteer to rescue endangered fish species from Topanga Creek with
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• Sign up for wildlife rescue training at Pasadena Humane
• Join habitat restoration projects through the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
• Help transport injured wildlife to rescue centers

Report Wildlife in Distress

• Pasadena Humane Emergency Line: (626) 792-7151
• Los Angeles Animal Services: (888) 452-7381
• California Wildlife Center: (310) 458-WILD

Other Ways to Help

If you live in the affected area:

• Keep water bowls in your yard for displaced wildlife
• Consider becoming a wildlife foster caregiver

If you live elsewhere:

• Share this article to raise awareness
• Follow local wildlife organizations on social media for updated needs

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