Spring is a tenuous time for wildlife. Young are being born and trying to survive predators, nature and even humans. New growth vegetation is emerging while also battling temperatures, drought, and potential disease.

One tip of the scale, one way or the other, can completely change a local ecosystem. So what about wildfires?

Unfortunately much of the Commonwealth is experiencing a dry spring. A recent announcement by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources warned that, with the exception of the Northwest, all of Pennsylvania is at high risk for wildfires.

That prediction has come true, as several areas are currently battling larger-than-normal wildfires, and locally, volunteers are battling smaller brush fires daily.

Immediate thoughts are filled with concern for those living near effected areas, the fire crews battling to contain the fires and whether they will be contained before spreading out of control. Then, after everyone is safe, many people start to think about the wildlife.

How will they survive? Will the new landscape be able to recover? What will next season look like at your favorite hunting or fishing spot?

The answers to these questions depend on the type of fire that occurred in the area, its size and its duration.

There are two types of wildfires: low intensity and high intensity.

Low-intensity fires are like man-made control burns and are often thought of as nature’s way of cleaning the forest. The fire is generally slower-moving and contained to the forest floor or sub-canopy portion of trees. Lots of debris and undergrowth are lost, and some trees may succumb to the damage, but as a whole, the forest is left healthy.

During this type of fire, local wildlife is relatively safe. Although some species may need to leave the immediate area, they generally do not go far. Other species will not need to evacuate, especially those living on treetops or local waterways, as the fire is not intense enough to impact these areas.

Once the fire is over, new growth will start almost immediately, with native plants sprouting in the ash-enriched soil due to the increase in sun and rain reaching the forest floor. Plus, old-growth trees — although scorched by the flames — continue to thrive due to intact root systems. With very little runoff, the stream will remain healthy and continue to support native fish and aquatic species.

But high-intensity fires can be very different.

These fires burn longer, hotter, and are much more destructive. Entire landscapes are devastated with brush, ground cover and old-growth timber falling victim. Root systems are burned, and the topsoil is scorched and unable to sustain native plant life.

No wildlife is left untouched. Everything from birds to mice must leave the area to survive. Because these fires often cover vast areas of forest, the displaced wildlife must flee further and further to escape the spreading flames.

Once the fire is out, there is little for the wildlife to return to. Habitat, food, and cover are gone. Runoff from the heavy ash deposits, as well as the loose soil, often contaminates the local stream, driving aquatic species out, too.

Unlike low-intensity fires that start to regenerate almost immediately, an area impacted by a high-intensity wildfire will take years, or even decades, to recover.

Without human intervention, areas once covered by old-growth timber will likely transform into grasslands, with trees needing years to take hold. This means that the ecosystem will transform as well. Species that rely on trees will not return.

However, other species will depend on the canopy cover and will also avoid the area. Instead, you can expect to see an increase in hawks and grassland species using the open landscape as a hunting ground.

While smaller low-intensity fires may be nature’s way of regenerating, larger-scale fires are usually the result of human carelessness.

Think about the long-term impact before throwing your cigarette butt out the window, lighting the backyard burn barrel or even having a campfire at the cabin.