LOS ANGELES — Four months after the wildfires ravaged the Angeles National Forest and devastated Altadena, wildlife has made a remarkable return to the Eaton Fire burn area. The hills are lush and green again, and birdsong fills the air. Volunteers working alongside scientists installed trail cameras, documenting the first mountain lion sighting in the area on March 26. It was spotted again just two nights ago.
Why the Wildlife Is Returning
Kristen Ochoa, a professor at UCLA, leads the effort to track the recovery of nature. She believes that the return of wildlife is a positive sign, offering hope to those who suffered during the fire.
Ochoa, a long-time Southern California resident, began the Chaney Trail Corridor Project in July 2024 to monitor the biodiversity of the area. She used iNaturalist, a network of citizen scientists, to share findings from the area before the fire occurred.
Recovery After the Fire
After the fire, much of the area was scorched, and all of the trail cameras were lost. However, Ochoa and her team quickly rebuilt and began documenting the area’s recovery.
While many parts of the area were burned, some areas remained untouched, providing refuge for wildlife while the flames swept through the rest of their habitat.
The Resilience of Nature
Ochoa recalls the experience of returning to the area right after the fire — the sound of birdsong was overwhelming. Some plant species, like the San Gabriel oaks, quickly sprouted new growth from their burned trunks, showing nature’s resilience.
However, invasive species like yellow mustard flowers are threatening to overtake native plants, altering the ecosystem.
Research Collaboration
Ochoa’s team is also collaborating with scientists at UCLA to study how other animals, such as bats and birds, have fared after the fire. They are continuing to monitor the tracks and behavior of wildlife in the area.
A Springtime Marked by Renewal
As spring arrives, signs of recovery are becoming more apparent. A pair of red-tailed hawks was spotted performing a spring mating ritual in the sky, a symbol of new life in the area.