The increasing frequency and intensity of megafires, driven by global climate change, pose significant challenges to wildlife populations and their habitats. In this study, we aim to assess the impact of the 2021 Dixie Fire, one of California's largest wildfires, on the American black bear (Ursus americanus) population within Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP). Using remote-triggered cameras and hair snaring techniques across 33 sampling locations, we will evaluate changes in population size, occupancy, and habitat use with data collected before and after the fire. By employing spatially explicit capture-recapture models and occupancy modeling, we will generate detailed insights into how the black bear population has responded to the wildfire disturbance. Our research will advance the scientific understanding of megafire impacts on large omnivorous mammals, providing essential information for conservation management. The findings will inform adaptive strategies for wildlife managers and stakeholders, aiding efforts to mitigate the effects of escalating fire regimes on black bear populations. This research will not only enhance scientific knowledge but also raise awareness of the growing risks and occasional benefits wildfires pose to large mammalian species in fire-prone ecosystems.

Daniel Ruka is a Master’s student in Ecology at UC Davis with extensive experience in black bear management and research. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, where he contributed to the Wisconsin Black Bear Project. In 2021, Daniel worked as a Bear Management/Backcountry Ranger at Lassen Volcanic National Park, where he developed his current research on wildfire impacts on black bears. In 2022, he worked with habituated black bears in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. His expertise includes hazing, capturing, and tracking black bears in fire-prone ecosystems.