An affectionate elk paid firefighters a visit over the US holiday weekend as they worked to tackle a blaze.

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

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

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

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