Bushfire Factsheet 
 for Wildlife 

Assisting Wildlife during Bushfires

During major fires animals in the immediate area of the fire may be unable to escape, but animals impacted on the fringes may be found injured or displaced and in need of critical care. Animals can also be injured as they flee the fires, hit by cars as they crossover roads or seek food on the verges.

After the fires have passed animals come into care as more injured animals are found, and as displaced animals move into more populated areas to seek food, water, and shelter. Some animals may not initially seem injured but may have burns to their feet or tails, or may be experiencing smoke inhalation, dehydration, or starvation.

Please report sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife and read WIRES Emergency Advice.

HOW YOU CAN HELP IF YOU ARE IN A FIRE IMPACTED AREA

• Keep cats indoors and dogs under control where possible, so that wildlife can flee safely through your property, and take domestic animals with you if you evacuate.
• Leave out shallow bowls of water for wildlife escaping fires, and add a few sticks or stones on one side to allow smaller animals to escape if they fall in. Ensure the containers are clean and water is changed daily. Do not attempt to pour water directly into animals’ mouths.
• Check pools and skimmer boxes twice a day for wildlife that may have fallen in and provide tethered ropes or platforms that animals can use to escape.
• Be vigilant on the road and keep an eye out for wildlife. Keep a cardboard box, gloves, personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser, and a towel, in the boot of your car in case you find an injured animal that you can safely contain.
• If you rescue an animal that has sustained burn injuries, do not attempt to feed it. Please wrap it loosely, ideally in 100% cotton fabric, place it in a ventilated box with a lid and keep it in a dark, quiet place whilst waiting for a rescuer or for transport to the nearest vet.
  
  

STAYING SAFE

Fires present a significant risk to the safety of volunteers and community members, and the activities conducted during and after a fire event must follow the directives of the first responder organisations such as the RFS and Fire & Rescue NSW. Do not enter active or seemingly dormant fire grounds to rescue wildlife without permission, trained wildlife personnel who are authorised to work with first responder agencies will respond.

If there are fires in your area, stay safe by:

• Calling 000 if you require emergency assistance,
• Checking current Fire Danger Ratings and Fire Alerts, 
• Monitoring weather conditions on the Bureau of Meteorology website,
• Packing an Emergency Survival Kit.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP

During emergency events it is common for people to want to assist impacted wildlife through volunteering, donating goods, and donations, and WIRES is deeply grateful for their support.

Although volunteering offers are always appreciated, wildlife rescue and care are complex, and we are unable to have untrained volunteers care for wildlife during an emergency. However, we encourage anyone wanting to help wildlife on an ongoing basis to join WIRES as a volunteer.

Many people want to help with donated goods during disaster events and the organisation is always in need of specific items. At times the quantity of items offered will exceed our capacity to accept, but please review our donated goods page for more information.

Everything WIRES does to help wildlife is made possible by the ongoing support of our donors, if you can donate to support our work you are helping with emergency response and 24/7 rescue support, 365 days a year. Donating is one of the best ways to support our wildlife work, as it enables us to buy exactly what’s needed, when needed, and ensures that our wildlife programs can operate long-term.

SUPPORTING WILDLIFE RECOVERY

Animals that escape emergency events may be displaced and/or starving, struggling with the lack of natural food sources and habitat available post disaster.