You really shouldn't try to save wild animals during wildfires – even cute bunnies "Fire or no fire, just let the animals be."

A few days after multiple wildfires erupted across Southern California, a video of a man fending off flames to save a wild rabbit on the side of a Ventura highway went viral. Many deemed the anonymous, hoodie-wearing man a hero.

Ellen Degeneres singled out the Samaritan on her Instagram: "To everyone who, in the chaos of these fires, is taking time to look out for animals, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," she wrote with a link to the video.

The accolades continued streaming in throughout the day.

"Man rescues rabbit from fires, instantly restores our faith in humanity," a CNN headline exclaimed.

A website called Hollywood Life called the man a "national hero." Even SFGATE wrote about the intense emotional outbursts spurred by the video.

Not everyone was buying it.

"Please stop calling the man heroic. That was foolish," wrote @SadittySteph.

"Why risk your own safety?" chimed @caitlingss.

Many wildlife experts would probably agree with such a characterization.

"Fire or no fire, just let the animals be," Peter Tira of California Fish and Wildlife told SFGATE back in October, when Northern California was contending with horrific wildfires of its own.

"Fire is something animals have to deal with constantly," Tira stressed.

Animals, he continued, know what they're doing in these sorts of situations. The average human probably can't say the same.

A deer flees from a wildfire near Malibu, Calif. , early Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, aS fires scorched the area. (AP Photo/Craig Durling) A deer flees from a wildfire near Malibu, Calif. , early Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, aS fires scorched the area. (AP Photo/Craig Durling) Photo: CRAIG DURLING Photo: CRAIG DURLING Image 1 of / 114 Caption Close You really shouldn't try to save wild animals during wildfires – even cute bunnies 1 / 114 Back to Gallery

This is a common theme during times of natural disaster. For the last few years, a meme has made the rounds every time a major wildfire erupts.

You may have seen it on your timeline in some variation or other (often accompanied by a photo of a deer and flames):

"Southern Californians, please be aware that wild animals are fleeing the fires and they may show up in your yards. The Forestry Department is urging you to bring your domestic animals in at night and let the wild ones pass through. Please put out buckets of water for them – they are scared, exhausted, and have also lost their homes – they need to refuel."

Tira debunked such advice during our October conversation, as did Animal Care and Control spokespeople. If one sees an animal in distress, Animal Care says to call your local chapter and let the professionals handle it.

Of course, ignoring the plight of a an animal can be easier said than done, especially in times of tragedy and destruction.

Writes Torie Bosch in Slate: "We don't know what happened to this man before or after his rabbit rescue. He may have been in shock, or he may have been traumatized. I certainly have no idea how I would react if I were within spitting distance of a wildfire and spotted a cute animal."

But that doesn't change the fact that the anonymous man was not only putting his own life at risk, but the lives of emergency personnel or witnesses who could have been called to save him if his own rescue mission went sour.

And, as LiveScience notes, "generally, wild animals are good at dealing with wildfires." Some burrow underground to avoid the flames, others simply scurry away.

The urge to help is natural, but the same rules apply to wild animals as always. That is, let the wild remain so.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.