Usually from my experience from watching elk get disturbed by fire or anyother factor is Elk will cycle back into area's they use more often with in 5 to 8 days on average. But all depends on the intensity of the fire. If there's no cover or foriage they are likely not going to return to that area for a long time. Spring will take care of that. But it can change where bedding area's are used and elk will relocate those back into prime coverage. Elk don't like disturbance all that much. Mess up a local herd's stomping grounds and they will change location and patterns faster than you can change your socks. But it is in their blood to come back where they breed, calve, and migrate for winter everyyear just like most things that live in herds they are taught from day one.