Buttons the orphaned elk gives firefighters some love

CLE ELUM, Wash. - An affectionate elk paid some Washington state firefighters a visit over the holiday weekend as they worked to tame a wildfire.

The orphaned elk, dubbed Buttons by the locals, is a fixture in Kittitas County, where she took up residence with some cows and goats on a hillside.

Kittitas County Fire District spokeswoman Richelle Risdon says she arrived at the scene on Saturday to see the elk nuzzling up to everyone in the command post area and resting her head on people's shoulders.

Ridson said the elk was not called over by firefighters, but instead "walked into the command post area and began nudging everyone," and was "giving kisses to each firefighter."

Risdon snapped photos of the animal getting up close and personal with the crew and posted them on the fire district's Facebook page.

She says she hopes with all the attention the photos are getting online, hunters will know to steer clear of Buttons.