Status of ‘iconic’ mountain goats living near evacuated B.C. community is uncertain

The status of a small group of iconic mountain goats living near the evacuated community of Summerland, British Columbia, remains uncertain amid a large wildfire. The Bald Range wildfire, which started last Friday, has spread rapidly and forced the evacuation of Summerland, Peachland, and surrounding communities. These scenic white animals, often spotted along Highway 97, were living in the Bald Range when the fire reached them.

Michael Noonan, a biology professor at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus, expressed concern over the goats' fate. He stated that there is a high probability that many animals were lost during the fire. Noonan also noted that mountain goats typically seek higher ground when a fire is nearby to escape the flames. However, in this case, the fire's fast-moving nature and the goats' tendency to move toward steep cliffs put them at great risk.

Noonan emphasized that the goats' population in the Southern Interior is already precarious due to their isolated habitats fragmented by human development. This makes them more vulnerable to fires like the Bald Range wildfire. The fire's proximity to the goats' habitat and their limited escape routes make it a significant threat. Noonan urged the development of improved connectivity for wildlife, including mountain goats, to better protect them from future fires.