Ranchers continue to evaluate the damage caused by a 10,000 acre wildfire in the Rock Creek area of southern British Columbia.
Fence lines on public and private land, sheds, corrals, fall and winter feed and homes were lost in three wildfires that started in August in the Oliver and Rock Creek regions.
“We are still assessing damage. They hit in a highly populated area,” said Kevin Boon of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association.
About 60 kilometres of range fence were lost and the provincial transport ministry is replacing 28 km of highway fence lines on Highways 33 and 3 to keep livestock off roads.
Read Also
Sask. ag group wants strychnine back
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has written to the federal government asking for emergency use of strychnine to control gophers
The fences on public land should be rebuilt by November, said a government news release.
Assessments of losses continue.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary reported 30 homes and 15 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
No livestock were reported lost, although some wildlife were killed.
Some losses are covered by private insurance and in some cases government help is available.
“We are looking at other options to offset some of that pain,” Boon said.
Feed supplies have been lost, which could create hardship this year because yields were reduced due to drought in the area.
Those conditions resulted in plenty of tinder-dry fuel such as dead pine needles, dried up grass and trees.
“Grazing these areas really helps with the fire risk because we keep down the fuel,” Boon said.
