Wildlife managers worry animals could move toward the city

Weeks after fire crews contained the Henry’s Creek Fire burning, Idaho Fish and Game warns thousands of deer could die, a result of their habitat being destroyed.

“The deer will not do very well,” Gregg Losinski, Idaho Fish and Game spokesperson said. “No matter how hard we try because of the severity of the fire.”

Losinski says Fish and Game biologists have been out surveying the 52,972 acres that burned. They have been looking at the impact the fire will have on wildlife come winter.

“We aren’t talking about a few animals, we are talking about thousands of animals,” Losinski says.

With thousands of acres charred, Losinski says, thousands of deer will likely die because the habitat they normally reside has been destroyed.

Deer won’t be the only animal impacted. Losinski says moose and elk will be forced into the city of Idaho Falls to search for food, but they are issuing a warning to those who live near the city limits.

“We don’t want people putting out hay bales and things drawing animals in,” said Losinski.

Fish and Game is also reminding residents to keep their distance from wildlife that may wander into the city limits. If you come across some wild animals, maybe in the city limits or closer to town than you’re used to, keep your distance and have a place to retreat to.

Fish and Game will be discussing ways to keep wildlife out of the city and how to prevent deer from dying. That meeting will be on Tuesday the 27th. It will be at 6:30. A location has yet to be determined.