A pair of Kelowna residents say they have lost count of how many animals they have rescued, since the Bald Range wildfire erupted near Summerland on Friday night. Chelsie Lesnoski and Cole Marten say they have been going non-stop, collecting supplies and transporting animals to safety. They began to get frantic calls from residents on Friday, who were forced to make heartbreaking decisions as they evacuated the rapidly spreading flames. “There was people, let’s say, who had elderly parents in their home, and needed to prioritize getting out as soon as possible,” Lesnoski told CTV News. In addition to dogs and cats, the pair are also saving plenty of horses, cattle and sheep. And a lot of those animals are picking up on the gravity of the situation. “There’s so much anxiety; these animals feel it, they’re very intuitive, they can feel the heat of the fire,” Lesnoski said. Despite the anxiety, Lesnoski says convincing animals to trust strangers and get into a trailer has been challenging. “For a lot of horses and some of these rescue animals, they haven’t been in a trailer in years, if maybe ever,” said Lesnoski, adding that some animals were born on the farms and have never been transported. “They don’t know that you’re taking them to safety.” Lesnoski says the biggest concern now is that the water and food owners may have left behind for their animals on Friday night is starting to run out. “We need to get them out before we face any more fatalities.” According to B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, an estimated 50,000 farm animals are facing the impacts of wildfires across the province. The BC SPCA says they are prioritizing support for animals and their families who have been forced to flee their homes, and are trying to alleviate whatever burdens they can. “Whether that means caring for your beloved animal until you can get back on your feet or you just need a crate and a bag of food, please reach out and let us offer whatever peace of mind we can,” said Kaila Wolf, senior director of media and internal communications, in a news release Tuesday. The organization says it has cared for 98 animals through its emergency boarding program, and has provided support to other “animal guardians.” Animal protection officers have also been helping provide feed and water to animals stuck behind firelines, when capacity and permitting allows. Back in Summerland, Lesnoski and Marten say nothing could have prepared them for the devastation they have seen. “You kinda just need to go into it and do everything you can to make sure that you and the animals you are trying to get come out alive, and that’s really all you can do,” Marten said. Lesnoski says they are “doing their best” to field an influx of calls for help. “Everyone just wants to get in and get everyone cared for.”
