The B.C. Cattlemen's Association says there will inevitably be the loss of livestock due the fires in Lytton and Lillooet (Image Credit: Global BC)

By Chad Klassen

CATTLE CONCERNS

Ranchers affected by Lytton and Lillooet fires anxious to return, count their losses

Jul 6, 2021 | 5:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — Ranchers around the Lytton and Lillooet areas are anxiously awaiting to get back onto their property to check on cattle after the devastating fires that ripped through those areas.

It is still not safe for people to enter places like Lytton after fire destroyed 90 per cent of the town and hundreds of acres of ranch land. Premier John Horgan, who did a flyover of the Interior fires before addressing the media at the Provincial Wildfire Centre, says the province is coordinating to have area residents return on a bus tour on Friday (July 9).

President of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association Kevin Boon says once it is deemed safe to go in, ranchers will be able to count up their losses.

“The fire [in Lytton] and the Pavillion fire [near Lillooet], we do know that we’ve had loss of some cattle. It’s very hard to estimate how big and how much because we can’t get in there and we don’t want to get in there until it’s safe,” said Boon.

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Ranchers are anxious not only about deceased cattle, but also helping the injured animals.

“Looking for those that are deceased because there will be some, but the bigger thing is looking for the ones that have been injured or harmed,” said Boon. “There’s so many different things out there during a fire that can hurt them, so getting to them so we can care for them, or in some cases they will have to be euthanized.”