25 September 2025
As with most of western Pennsylvania there’s been a drought in Elk County, home of Pennsylvania’s elk herd (also called wapiti). The wildlands fire maps showed no significant fire risk in western PA, so I was a bit surprised to hear of a wildfire last Saturday 20 September near the Dent’s Run Elk Viewing area. Beyond the worry for human life and property, the next big concern was how it would affect the elk and their visitors.
September and October are prime elk viewing season when the Pennsylvania’s elk (Cervus canadensis) are in the rut, their annual period of sexual activity. The bulls gather harems, pursue the females, antler-spar with other males, and “sing” a bugling love song.
The good news is that it was a small fire less than one acre, burned only the leaf litter, and was quickly contained and extinguished. Most of it occurred on SGL 311 and did not affect the elk or the viewing areas at all.
And more good news: It has already rained 1.34 inches since Tuesday and it’s raining there today so another fire is unlikely.
If you’ve been waiting to hear elk bugling, now’s the time to make the trip to Benezette and the Elk Country Visitor Center where you can see these views in person –> Live Elk Webcam at Benezette.
Curious about the fire? Learn more at TribLive: Benezette elk viewing areas unaffected by weekend fire.