Nourished Pig Survives Wildfire Devastation
Nourished by a helicopter airdrop of granola bars, Poomba the pig has miraculously survived the wildfire devastation that surrounds her on what remains of the Broken Rail Ranch in West Kelowna. Despite being engulfed in flames last Thursday, Poomba is now roaming on the last patch of grass, cared for by firefighters, according to Keramia Lawrie, a West Kelowna resident whose parents own the property.
Lawrie stated, “It’s just a miracle that Poomba survived. She was kind of in the eye of the storm and she was unharmed. I mean, it’s just crazy that she survived, not because of the fire itself but because of the heat and the smoke.”
Lawrie mentioned that her father, Jeff Findlay, tried to evacuate Poomba and her sister pig, Miss Wilbur, as the McDougall Creek wildfire approached the property last week. However, they were too stubborn to leave, forcing Findlay to flee without them.
“The ranch was surrounded by flames when Findlay left,” said Lawrie. Over the next couple of days, the family anxiously awaited news on the fate of their beloved animals. “We really just assumed that they were both dead because the whole property was reduced to rubble,” Lawrie added.
Then, on Sunday, they received the news that Poomba had been spotted alive by a helicopter pilot amidst the destroyed buildings and ashes. “He actually threw down some granola bars from the helicopter and then the next day we knew she was okay and the fires calmed down a bit,” Lawrie explained.
Unfortunately, Miss Wilbur was found dead on Monday.
Firefighters have been providing care for Poomba, feeding her apples and more granola bars, and ensuring she stays hydrated amidst the smoke and heat. They have also been sending Lawrie many photos of Poomba, who she says seems happy.
Lawrie expressed her heartbreak over the loss of Miss Wilbur, reminiscing about the sounds she would make when being scratched. A vet has examined Poomba and confirmed her well-being, and the family is eagerly anticipating a reunion in the near future.
While Lawrie’s parents are still coming to terms with the loss of their business and home, most of the livestock on the property, including 19 horses, a miniature pony, and four goats, have been saved.
Lawrie shared Poomba’s story of survival on social media, describing the pig as a symbol of resilience and hope. One comment on the post read, “Strongest survivor piggy ever.”
© 2023 The Canadian Press