Lessons learned in 2017 could help save cattle in the future

VICTORIA —    British Columbia’s agriculture minister says critical lessons learned from last year’s wildfires that had ranchers and producers suffering devastating losses will help save animals during another season that could force more people from their properties.

     Lana Popham says the province’s premises identification program, which was meant to trace cattle back to an operation during a disease outbreak, allowed animals to be rescued last year after evacuation orders were issued.

     As the fires increased last summer, she says more farmers and ranchers registered for the program and that’s allowing the government to move animals out as needed.

     In some cases, grazing cattle remain safe in certain areas after ranchers have left due to encroaching fires because the program allows them to re-enter evacuation zones and tend to their livestock.