Crews are working to quickly replace 28 kilometres of livestock fencing – along Highway 33 and Highway 3 – that was destroyed by the recent Rock Creek wildfire.

The fencing boosts safety for motorists by helping to keep cattle and other livestock from roaming onto the highways and potentially causing crashes.

“This fencing is important for ranchers and farmers, to keep their animals contained and safe from harm, and it’s also important for motorists who are travelling along these highways, especially at night and during challenging weather conditions,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “When some stretches of livestock fencing were destroyed in the Rock Creek wildfire, we committed to replacing the fencing right away.”

Twenty-eight kilometres of livestock fencing located along stretches of Highway 33 and Highway 3 (Crowsnest) were burned in the recent Rock Creek wildfire, which blazed up in August. The fire is now 100% contained, thanks to the efforts of firefighters.

“Having livestock fencing along our highways both keeps the travelling public safe and also protects farmers’ livelihoods,” said Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick. “Replacing the 28 kilometres of livetstock fencing that were damaged in the Rock Creek fire is important both for farmers and for those using these highways.”

“Road safety is our top priority,” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson. “Ranchers and farmers are eager to return to business and the completion of this work will help facilitate a full economic recovery in the area.”

Work on replacing the fencing is proceeding well, and the ministry is pleased to work with the BC Cattlemen’s Association in support of ranchers. The work is expected to be complete in late November.

"Ranchers devastated by the recent Rock Creek fire are extremely grateful for the quick response from the Province to replace the burned highway fences in the area,” said BC Cattlemen’s Association general manager Kevin Boon. “It is hard to comprehend the devastation felt by those who have lost so much. Due to the quick and decisive actions of government, BC Cattlemen's Association has been able to rebuild the fences which will serve to contain livestock and insure the safety of B.C. motorists.”

This follows on the heels of the ministry’s recent announcement of a $4-million investment to expand livestock fencing in B.C. as part of a partnership with the BC Cattlemen’s Association.

The extra $4 million will extend the existing Provincial Livestock Fencing Program through to the end of 2017. This investment is expected to help build an additional 250 kilometres of fencing in B.C., adding to the 650 kilometres of livestock fencing that has already been constructed.

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Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at: http://tranbc.ca/