Rockies to Cascades connections
Keeping the Northwest wild Fall 2014 15
Rockies to Cascades connections
Fire and wolves
Probably the most well-known wildlife
residents within the Carlton Complex fire
perimeter are the lookout Pack wolves.
What we know from radio collar data is
that they left an area they had been using
before the fires and then returned to the
same area after the fires quieted down —
much like us humans. They will likely do
their part to help address the mule deer
population issue this coming winter.
Left: Chiliwist Wildlife Area after the Carlton burn.
Photo: Chase Gunnell
Right: Carlton fire complex in relationship to the
Methow River watershed.
From 2014 report on the Carlton Complex by the Pacific Biodiversity Institute
eficial to wildlife and oen creates problems, he
said. Feeding concentrates animals, making them
more vulnerable to predators, poaching and dis-
ease, such as hair slip, which is already a concern
for deer in the region. Having so many animals
clustered in one area also causes damage to the
land and can hinder restoration efforts.
In the winter, deer prefer to eat shrubs and bit-
terbrush, which WDFW plans to re-seed on de-
partment lands within the burned area. However,
it will take many years for shrubs and bitterbrush
to reestablish in the damaged area.
e western gray squirrel is another species
that had much of its prime old tree habitat in
the Okanogan burned, although the patchy burn
also le many trees alive. Sadly, some animals per-
ished in the fire, but at least some western gray
squirrels survived in burned areas and are happily
foraging on roasted pine nuts le on the standing
dead trees. In areas where the fire burned it could
take many years to recover.
Landowners can learn more about restoration
work for their properties by visiting the Okano-
gan Conservation District webpage.
Black bear and squirrel tracks in the burn area. Photo: Gary Ott, Twisp
