Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Dylana Milobar

WILDFIRE FIGHTING LIVESTOCK

Livestock to join BC wildfire fighting effort

May 26, 2019 | 9:09 AM

VICTORIA — From grazing in a field, to reducing wildfire risk- livestock will soon be a part of firefighting efforts throughout the province.

In a release, the B.C Government announced it has taken steps to have cattle and other grazing livestock be used to reduce the build up of fire starting fuels.

The Ministry of Forests says the provincial government will provide $500,000 to the B.C Cattlemen’s Association for developing partnerships, and investigating how to use livestock to manage fine fuels on B.C lands.

“Using cattle and livestock grazing minimizes the growth of annual and perennial grasses, which helps to reduce wildfire risks,” says Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “It’s one example of what we’re doing to reduce the threat of wildfires, while supporting the ranching sector and maintaining wildlife habitat in our province.”

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The collaboration between the BC Government, local governments, the ranching sector, and various First Nations will provide the opportunity to livestock owners, stakeholders, and other interested groups.

“Reducing the risk of wildfires and adapting to a changing climate requires more action than the status quo of the last 20 years,” says Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “B.C.’s beef producers are well known for raising high-quality grass- and range-fed beef, and we’re working with them to find ways to combine that practice with reducing vegetation that fuels wildfires. It’s an intriguing model that I’m hopeful will become a mainstay in our efforts to protect our communities and resources from fires, as well as supporting B.C. ranchers and B.C. beef.”

In the release, the Ministry says it recognizes that targeted grazing with livestock is not the end-all solution for fuel management, but it can be useful when combined with other strategies like prescribed burns, and selective tree harvests.

“The last two fire seasons have seen unprecedented resources burn in the province,” said Kevin Boon, General Manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. “These events have shown us the value of agriculture, specifically cattle grazing, in mitigating the start or spread of fires while assisting in firefighting efforts. Cattle grazing reduces the fine fuels available for fires to take hold. This funding will allow us to develop partnerships in interface areas to help protect our lands, forests and communities, while producing some of the best quality food in the world.”