08/10/2026
🔥 WILDFIRE UPDATE FOR AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK ♥️
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The Bald Range Fire near Summerland continues to create incredibly difficult conditions for farmers, ranchers, workers and animals.
The RDOS has established a temporary access pass system. Right now, human life-saving needs come first, followed by livestock care.
🐄 Livestock: Operations needing temporary access or help relocating livestock can contact the RDOS Emergency Operations Centre: 250-490-6531. The Agriculture Coordinator is also establishing “buddy farms” for relocated livestock.
🐴 Hobby farms & pets: Contact ALERT through the RDOS EOC: 250-490-6531.
🍑 Orchards & vineyards: Many have been evacuated, including farms employing Temporary Foreign Workers and Seasonal Agricultural Workers. Finding accommodation for workers is challenging and Emergency Support Services are stretched.
Growers are understandably asking for access to harvest. Peaches are ready and farmers have worked all year for this moment. It’s heartbreaking. But human life and livestock welfare must come first.
There are reports of cattle losses on ranches and major impacts to vineyards. We are tracking everything.
♥️ Amid all of this, an incredible story from the Big Bar Complex.
When Coldwater Indian Band moved to evacuation order, Agriculture and Food staff, Agriculture Coordinators, Rancher Liaisons, Range Riders and ranchers worked together to relocate approximately 1,500 cattle in 24 hours.
1,500 animals. 24 hours. During a wildfire emergency.
That takes extraordinary coordination, trust and courage.
When fire is bearing down, our emergency systems ultimately come down to people showing up for one another — ranchers helping ranchers, neighbours opening gates and pastures, Range Riders knowing the land, & teams working side by side.
Huge shout out to BCWF & EMCR for working so so hard♥️
To everyone working through smoke, heat and exhaustion to keep people and animals safe — thank you from the bottom of my heart. ♥️
Please follow evacuation orders. When an evacuation order comes, please go.
📸 Cattle relocated from the Pear Lake area to their buddy farm. Photo: Robson Rogan, TNRD Ag Coordinator.