BURST
Kaz Knowlin has slept less than 24 hours in the last eight days. Since the Bradley Creek wildfire started sweeping the hills west of Vernon on July 31, to this weekend when B.C. declared a state of emergency due to the Bald Range wildfire , Knowlin has rescued some of the horses, sheep, goats, chickens and livestock that evacuees were forced to leave behind.
Knowlin is one of hundreds across the community that have rallied to help their neighbours as some 20,000 Okanagan residents have been displaced by wildfires.
“The horses are stressed. They’re distraught. You can see it in their eyes,” said Knowlin on Sunday as he and a small crew worked to obtain permits to go into Garnet Valley to locate and extract horses.
As long as there are animals in need, the volunteer from Lumby will not stop. For farms where fire is encroaching, there is no time to lose. “We go in immediately for evacs when there is an immediate threat,” said Knowlin.
Once roads are closed, and people are evacuated, authorities keep roads clear for emergency vehicles, and rescue crews must apply for permits to enter.
Yesterday, Knowlin rescued two mares, a newborn and a gelding, some chickens and some feed, and transported them to Feedway Stables in Penticton.
It’s not easy.
“It’s very hot and smoky, and we are going into places where the fires is till burning beside us.”
The fear the animals feel makes them hard to handle and load. Knowlin co-ordinates with owners, someone known to the animals who can calm them down. Others are left, usually in paddocks with phone numbers painted on their flanks or drawn on their hoofs with nail polish and sprinklers turned on around them.
Some, like McKenna Robson, have not choice but to turn them loose and plead for help. As she evacuated, Robson had to release 14 distressed alpacas in the Garnet Valley.
Jane Long Haggerty, president of New Beginnings Animal Sanctuary Society in the beautiful Meadow Valley area of Summerland posted on Facebook that she was able to get her kids to safety, and get 10 horses, five goats, two rabbits, four dogs and three cats off their property. But, when she went back to get the rest of the livestock, the fire was on the family’s property and had skipped the road on both sides.
For several hours, she did not know if her husband was alive. (He was.) There are still animals on her property in need of rescue.
Christine Coletta, owner of Garnet Valley Ranch Winery and Haywire Winery, evacuated to another Summerland property with 10 employees and one horse on Friday evening. At 4 a.m., they were evacuated again.
Five horses too skittish to handle stayed behind near an area with plenty of grass and a pond.
“They have been sighted,” said Coletta, who made it to Penticton with her Great Pyranees dog.
Her employees, all temporary foreign workers, were taken in by a family friend. “They are on a beautiful property in Cawston, with a swimming pool and lots of food. They have been through a lot. The money they make sustains their families in Mexico, and we need to be able to keep them here, and keep them working.”
Coletta believes the fire may have destroyed structures or vineyards, and urgently needs to return.
“There is no power and no water. But we need to go back and try to keep the vines alive.”
She and her husband have registered with emergency services and applied for permits to get back.
“The community has been incredible. My husband heard from people he hasn’t heard from in 20 years, the bigger wineries are reaching out, as are some of the smallest wineries,” said Coletta, 71. “Everyone here is resilient. We are tough. We are here for each other.”
Coletta is urging British Columbians who want to help to buy B.C. wine.
Knowlin said there is urgent need for hay and feed among farmers and organizations sheltering rescued animals throughout the area. Anyone can help with donations for livestock can text him at 250-307-4002 to
Anyone with livestock, agricultural operations, or a large number of animals requiring assistance, can contact the RDOS Call Centre at 250-490-4225 or text Knowlin directly at 250-307-4002.