The California motorist who pulled over to rescue a rabbit from a monster wildfire may have actually made things worse for the animal.

Experts advise that wildlife spotted near a fire should be left alone, especially desert cottontail rabbits like the ones known to live in southern California.

According to Live Science, the rabbits are still giving birth to litters around this time of year and keep them safe underground in their burrows.

Essentially, interfering, no matter how good the intentions, could do far more harm for the ecosystem than good.

'If you encounter a wild animal in our neighborhood, leave it alone,' California Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Peter Tira told SFGate back in October as wildfires were raging in Northern California.

'Fire or no fire, just let the animals be,' he said. 'Fire is something animals have to deal with constantly.'

The California motorist who pulled over to rescue a rabbit from a monster wildfire may have actually made things worse for the animal. The man pulled over in Ventura County to rescue the critter on Wednesday

Experts warn that wildlife spotted near a fire should be left alone, especially desert cottontail rabbits like the ones known to live in southern California. The rabbits are still giving birth to litters around this time of year and keep them safe underground in their burrows

Very few animals die in wildfires as most go underground to protect themselves, according to the US Forest Service.

The warning comes after a video showing a Good Samaritan stopping his car along Highway 1 to rescue a rabbit from a fire has gone viral.

A news photographer for KABC who happened to be in Ventura County on Wednesday, covering the Thomas Fire, captured the moment the unnamed driver risked his life to save the furry critter from the flames.

The footage shows the man trying to grab the rabbit that's hopping away as the hot flames inch closer to them.

Very few animals die in wildfires as most go underground to protect themselves, according to the US Forest Service. The warning comes after a video showing a Good Samaritan stopping his car along Highway 1 to rescue a rabbit from a fire has gone viral (above)

The short video shows the unidentified man trying to save the rabbit from the intense flames part of the Thomas Fire that's burning in Venura County

In the short video documenting the man's act of courage and compassion, the motorist - a young man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and a pair of athletic shorts - appears increasingly anxious for the rabbit's safety.

He jumps up and down a couple of times, as if mimicking the critter's own motions, and desperately tries to capture it.

A few tense seconds later, the seemingly doomed rabbit turns tail on the savage fire and finally approaches its rescuer.

The man then gently scoops up the furry animal, cradles it in his arms and tries to make it comfortable.

The video sows the man gently scoop up the furry animal and cradle it in his arms. It's unclear where he ended up taking the tiny wildfire survivor

KABC reported that the valiant animal lover declined to be interviewed at the scene. It's unclear where he ended up taking the tiny wildfire survivor.

Social media users who viewed and shared the video of the rabbit's improbable rescue hailed the anonymous man a hero for putting himself in harm's way to save an animal's life.

The Thomas Fire, the largest of the area's wildfires, ignited on Monday and so far has charred more than 95,000 acres and destroyed more than 150 homes.

After causing some 50,000 residents of Ventura County to flee their homes over the past three days, the inferno continued its westward push on Thursday, forcing a few hundred Santa Barbara County residents to be evacuated and the closing of coastal Highway 101 north of Ventura city.

According to latest reports, the Thomas fire is only 5 per cent contained.