McKenna Robson faced a distressing situation while in Vancouver when she learned that the Bald Range wildfire was approaching her alpaca farm in Garnet Valley, near where the fire originated in Faulder. Feeling powerless, she made a tough decision to release her 14 alpacas by cutting the fences remotely as the fire rapidly approached. She guided her family and friends through social media on what steps to take during the crisis.
The wildfire’s rapid spread forced many animal owners in the region to make difficult choices as emergency crews conducted evacuations. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham disclosed that around 50,000 agricultural animals were at risk due to the fires, with reports of livestock losses emerging. The true extent of the damage will only be fully known in the fall when animals potentially return to their properties.
While some owners managed to evacuate with their animals, others faced the heart-wrenching dilemma of leaving them behind. Evacuees witnessed their animals, like horses and cows, running into the flames and smoke, causing immense anxiety about their well-being.
With the situation improving in the district’s highly populated regions, Summerland granted temporary permits to select animal care organizations to access the area and look after livestock. Among these organizations is the Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT), which is actively aiding nearly 300 requests to care for a variety of animals throughout the Okanagan region.
ALERT spokesperson Daryl Meyers highlighted the resilience of the animals left behind and emphasized the importance of owners being prepared for evacuations with their animals. Meyers stressed the need for owners to have a plan in place, including having crates or trailers ready and practicing loading animals quickly in case of emergencies.
Fortunately, all of Robson’s alpacas survived the wildfire in Garnet Valley. Despite the destruction around them, her alpacas managed to endure the ordeal, either fleeing the property or seeking refuge in a pond. Robson, who briefly visited the area before evacuating to Penticton, found her alpacas huddled together, visibly shaken but ultimately safe.