McKenna Robson received distressing news in Vancouver that the Bald Range wildfire was approaching her alpaca farm situated in Garnet Valley, one valley away from the fire’s origin in Faulder. Feeling powerless, she decided to remotely guide the operation of cutting fences on her property to give her 14 alpacas a chance to survive the rapidly advancing flames. Robson stayed connected through Facebook, directing her family and friends on necessary actions and calls to make during the crisis.
Many animal owners in the area faced similar dilemmas as the Bald Range fire rapidly expanded, leading to tactical evacuations by emergency crews. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham disclosed that around 50,000 agricultural animals were at risk due to the wildfires, with reports of livestock losses emerging. However, the full extent of the damage won’t be apparent until fall when roaming animals might return to their properties independently.
While some owners managed to evacuate with their animals, others like Greg Krautner brought their goats to the Penticton evacuation center, where the animals faced stress from the unfamiliar surroundings. Despite the challenges, some owners chose to stay behind, while many grappled with the emotional turmoil of leaving their animals behind in the face of danger.
With the wildfire threat subsiding in the more populated areas, Summerland issued temporary permits to select animal care organizations to access the region and care for livestock. The Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) mobilized volunteers to rescue pets and livestock from evacuation zones, responding to numerous requests for assistance in feeding and caring for a variety of animals in the Okanagan region.
Daryl Meyers, a spokesperson for ALERT, emphasized the importance of preparedness for animal owners during evacuations, urging the necessity of having crates or trailers ready and practicing loading animals swiftly in case of emergencies. Meyers highlighted the positive impact of human contact on animals’ spirits during distressing situations, emphasizing the need for owners to prioritize readiness and planning for animal evacuations.
Despite the challenges, McKenna Robson’s alpacas managed to survive the fire, either fleeing the property or seeking shelter in a pond. Visiting the burnt-out area briefly before evacuating to Penticton, Robson found her alpacas huddled together amidst the devastation, displaying signs of fear but ultimately emerging unscathed from the ordeal.