Boreal forest is adapted to bounce back from major forest fires like those in central Newfoundland, but the full impact of the fire on local wildlife is yet to be assessed.

Senior Wildlife Manager with the provincial department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Wayne Barney says many animals have the ability to get away from impending danger, but some species are more vulnerable to fire than others.

Animals with lower mobility, like amphibians for instance, are more vulnerable than larger and more mobile animals like moose, caribou and bear.

Barney admits there are worries about some species of concern, including red pine stands, several rare lichen, red crossbills, and a portion of the range of the Newfoundland pine marten. On a more positive note, says Barney, the affected area does not overlap some of the island’s critical caribou habitat.

Barney says aside from the fire itself, the greatest immediate threat to local wildlife is habitat loss, but boreal forest is adapted to quick regeneration.

He says the area will regenerate with a greater diversity of plants, producing excellent wildlife habitat in the coming years.