B.C. farmers defy evacuation orders to protect homes and animals from wildfires

While authorities are adamant that evacuation orders should be taken seriously, some B.C. farmers are choosing to stay behind to protect homes, animals, and properties that have been in their families for generations.

Tom Davison was among them. After evacuating staff from Davison Orchards near Vernon, his son and son-in-law stayed behind with firefighting equipment purchased after a 2021 wildfire swept past the property. They trained hoses on flames at the property's edge, protecting the orchard and helping a neighbour whose outbuildings were lost. Davison's home was saved. "The fact that he had the proper equipment on site was really a big part of why we were able to do what we did that night," Davison said.

At Sweet Pea Farms, also near Vernon, nine people — including the farm owner and their family — stayed despite an evacuation order to protect over 100 animals ranging from pigs and ducks to horses and dogs. Kaylee Jameson, who rents on the property, said they tried to evacuate the animals but when winds picked up and roads closed, they ran out of time. "They've been through this before. And this time they wanted to stay and fight for their house, fight for the farm, fight for the animals."

As of Thursday, B.C.'s Ministry of Agriculture said 221 registered agricultural premises were under evacuation order due to wildfire activity. The province runs a program allowing farmers to temporarily move animals to stockyards, feedlots, "buddy farms," and rodeo grounds, though the ministry does not track how many animals have actually been relocated.

Premier David Eby acknowledged the impossible choice facing farmers. "I can't think of anything more difficult for a farmer than being faced with an evacuation notice while knowing that your animals are potentially in distress," he said Thursday, while emphasizing that protecting human life remains the top priority.