A burned snag makes a good nest	Land mosaic created by wildfire	Elk feeding on new grass roots

In order to have different types of wildlife species, it's necessary to have different types of habitats. Grazing animals need forage from meadows, but they also need the shelter of the forest to hide from predators, for protection from harsh weather and to provide shade on hot summer days. Wildfires tend to burn in scattered patterns that help create and maintain different habitats. Certain types of birds also prosper in the aftermath of fire, finding new homes and nesting in the hollows of burned snags.