safety
How a California wildfire inspired a book about hidden animal societies
By Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times at Waco Tribune-Herald
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
As the destructive Bobcat fire sent plumes of smoke billowing from the Angeles National Forest in 2020, Ryan Huling recalled that at the time news reports claimed the blaze caused “no injuries” and that no homes had been destroyed. That…
Why this matters in The Waco
The Bobcat fire's devastating impact on California's Angeles National Forest in 2020 may seem distant from Waco , but its effects on local wildlife have a parallel in McLennan County's own experiences with wildfires. As Waco residents know, wildfires can have a profound impact on the local ecosystem, displacing animals and disrupting their habitats. The idea that a wildfire can cause "no injuries" overlooks the harm inflicted on animal societies, a theme explored in Ryan Huling's book inspired by the Bobcat fire. This oversight is relevant to Waco, where urban development and drought conditions create a volatile mix that can threaten both human and animal populations. As the city continues to grow, it's crucial to consider the interconnectedness of human and animal communities, and to develop strategies for mitigating the effects of wildfires on local wildlife.
About this story
Original reporting by Waco Tribune-Herald . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Waco Tribune-Herald . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Waco Tribune-Herald ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As the destructive Bobcat fire sent plumes of smoke billowing from the Angeles National Forest in 2020, Ryan Huling recalled that at the time news reports claimed the blaze caused “no injuries” and that no homes had been destroyed. That…
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Waco Tribune-Herald and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times at Waco Tribune-Herald. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter