By FELICIA FONSECAyesterday

https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-lifestyle-environment-and-nature-lakes-animals-10e1a3a7170eb8a824b7e51f5f096a4c?fbclid=IwAR1qqn1HV9n5fulDs6clCkQdSHaQpoQHcegnN15vSD4gQg8lg3jlQZNgIDM

1 of 10Dana Fasolette uses a towel to hold a raccoon under treatment for burns at the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn , Calif., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. As wildfires die down in the far western United States, wildlife centers are still caring for animals that were injured or unable to flee the flames.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The porcupines were walking slow and funny, more so than they usually do.

Their stride concerned some residents in a South Lake Tahoe neighborhood who called a rehabilitation center. Turns out, the porcupines had extensive burns to their paws, fur, quills and faces after a wildfire burned through the area.

Wildlife centers in the U.S. West are caring for animals that weren’t able to flee the flames or are looking for food in burned-over places.

An emaciated turkey vulture recently found on the Lake Tahoe shore couldn’t fly, likely because food isn’t as plentiful in burned areas, said Denise Upton, the animal care director at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.

“That’s what we’re seeing in the aftermath of the fires — just animals that are having a hard time and being pushed into areas they are not traditionally in,” she said.