Hunters and wildlife alike are feeling the impact as more wildfires continue to pop up across the West.

In California, the state closed access to the South Chimineas Unit (see above photo) through spring 2026 to allow habitat to recover. The 81,000-acre Madre Fire burned about 25,000 acres of the Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve, a landscape where the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation carried out various habitat enhancement projects to benefit tule elk and other wildlife over the years.

“The closure will also give the wildlife on the South Chimineas Unit a break after the disturbances of wildfire that would be compounded by the pressures of hunting,” said Brandon Swanson, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologist. “The potential for dead trees to fall is also a public safety concern.”

CDFW reports earlier prescribed fire treatment kept the damage from getting worse but also cancelled several planned hunts. Click here for details.

In Utah, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) approved options for elk and deer hunters that may be affected by the 55,000-acre Monroe Canyon Fire burning across Fishlake National Forest in central Utah. A closure is currently in effect until Oct. 31.

“While wildfires occur in Utah almost every summer and fall, this particular fire closed a significant portion of this hunting unit. And because the closure will be in effect past when the majority of the hunts are over, we wanted to offer some emergency options for hunters on this unit,” said DWR Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney.

RMEF volunteers gathered earlier this year on the Fishlake National Forest for their annual summer work project. They installed two new water guzzlers, boosting the number of water sources installed there by RMEF and partners over the years to 30.

In Colorado, wildlife officials closed public access to four state wildlife areas in the northwest part of the state. The Elk and Lee fires are burning both east and west of the small town of Meeker.

“We know the timing of this isn’t ideal,” said Johnathan Lambert, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Meeker area wildlife manager. “This time of year, we see an increase in hunters in these areas, scouting and preparing for the upcoming big game hunting season. For your safety and the safety of the fire crews actively working in these areas, we ask that you please stay out of these areas.” 

The White River National Forest Blanco Ranger District and Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office also announced public closures for portions of their territories. Click here for details.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation urges hunters  to check with the appropriate state wildlife agency about potential impacts of wildfires on areas where they hunt.

(Photo credit: California Department of Fish and Wildlife)