B.C. works to safeguard livestock during another tough wildfire season

British Columbia's agriculture minister says critical lessons learned from last year's wildfires that had ranchers and producers suffering devastating losses will help save animals during another season that could force more people from their properties.

Lana Popham said Wednesday the province's premises identification program, which was meant to trace cattle back to an operation during a disease outbreak, allowed animals to be rescued last year after evacuation orders were issued.

"As the fires increased last summer and this program seemed to have so much value we saw those numbers increase significantly," she said of more farmers and ranchers registering for the program.

"That's allowing us to get into areas that have been identified as heavy agricultural, livestock areas and be able to assess a situation and move those animals out as needed."

In some cases, grazing cattle remained safe in certain areas after ranchers have left due to encroaching fires, Popham said, adding 35,000 livestock were on the loose last year at the height of the worst wildfire conditions.

"This program allows them to re-enter into evacuation zones and tend to their livestock so it's extremely important for people to be registered for this program and I think over the last two years, especially, that message has hit home."

So far this season, 13,000 livestock, mostly cattle but also sheep, horses and pigs, have been in areas affected by evacuation orders and alerts, Popham said, adding ministry staff are working with the B.C. Cattlemen's Association to co-ordinate alternate grazing sites, organizing emergency feeds and helping with the relocation of animals.

"We won't often know if they've been lost until they don't come home later in the fall," Popham said. "I have heard reports of cattle that have been burned, but no numbers on that yet."

Williams Lake is one of the hardest-hit areas, Popham said.

"The emotional toll that these farmers and ranchers are feeling is tremendous. And we saw this last year. You see some of the strongest farmers you know break down when they realize some of their animals aren't coming home."

After the 2017 wildfires, the federal government provided $20 million in funding to help farmers and ranchers, but Popham said her ministry has not made any requests for financial help so far this year as it awaits assessments on areas that weren't affected last year.