Status of 'iconic' mountain goats near evacuated B.C. community is uncertain amid wildfire

The fate of a well-known group of mountain goats near Summerland, British Columbia, remains uncertain as the Bald Range wildfire rages out of control. These "iconic" animals, frequently spotted by motorists along Highway 97 clinging to cliffs above Okanagan Lake, inhabit an area now engulfed by the rapidly spreading wildfire that began last Friday.

The fire has not only led to the swift evacuation of Summerland, Peachland, and nearby communities but has also sparked significant concern for the mountain goat population. Michael Noonan, a biology professor at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus, expressed pessimism about the animals' survival.

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So, there is a very good chance many animals were lost during this fire.

"So, there is a very good chance many animals were lost during this fire," Noonan stated in an interview. He noted that the goats have become a familiar sight along the now-closed Highway 97, fostering a connection with many people who regularly saw them.

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You see them all the time, right? So, there are a lot of people, who have a connection with those animals just from that.

While there have been unconfirmed sightings, including a social media post from the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance mentioning an unspecified number of animals spotted by local fire services, concrete details about their status or potential losses are scarce. The Peachland Fire and Rescue Service Chief, Ian Cummings, reported having no specific information.

Noonan, who studied mountain goat responses to a 2003 fire in nearby Cathedral Park, explained that the animals typically do not flee until a fire poses an immediate threat. "They respond, when it is an immediate threat," he said. "So, with a fire like the Summerland fire that moved extremely fast, not having a proactive or strong proactive behaviour, is a big risk for wildfire."

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They respond, when it is an immediate threat. So, with a fire like the Summerland fire that moved extremely fast, not having a proactive or strong proactive behaviour, is a big risk for wildfire.

His research indicates that mountain goats often seek higher ground to escape fires, viewing it as a safe haven. However, this behavior can be perilous during wildfires, as fires also move uphill. "The behaviour of goats of moving toward steep cliffs and moving up elevation is not really well matched to fire, because fire moves up elevation, right?" Noonan questioned. If the goats are already above the treeline, their chances are better, but if they are within or near the treeline and attempt to move higher, they risk trapping themselves on steep cliffs.

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The behaviour of goats of moving toward steep cliffs and moving up elevation is not really well matched to fire, because fire moves up elevation, right?