California's Park Fire threatens the survival of critically endangered spring-run Chinook salmon in Mill and Deer Creek watersheds.

California's fifth-largest wildfire, the Park Fire, threatens the survival of the state's critically endangered spring-run Chinook salmon, which inhabit the Mill and Deer Creek watersheds in Tehama County. If the fire spreads to higher altitudes, it could lead to the extinction of these salmon. The spring-fed streams in the watersheds could have ash quickly washed away, and while flames aren't the immediate threat, firefighting efforts pose a direct threat to waterways. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife warns that the populations are at high risk of extinction, and the impact of the fire could be another catastrophic blow to an already declining species.

July 31, 2024
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