Summerland, B.C., farmer Chamkaur Saran was 12 hours away from harvesting his crop last weekend when the explosive Bald Range wildfire broke out.
“After the fire, there was a very strong wind came, but that wind has broken so many trees,” Saran told Global News.
He is now assessing the damage done to his peach trees and said the broken trees will not grow back.
Saran said that now, 70 to 80 per cent of his crop is gone.
The remainder of his livelihood now lies rotting on the ground and he’s not the only farmer having to compost.
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The owner of the Trout Creek Fruit Stand is cleaning up mouldy fruits and vegetables.
Crops in the Okanagan have been hit consecutively, first by a heat dome in 2021, then a cold snap in 2024 that led to the closure of B.C. Tree Fruits Cooperative.
Saran is trying to gather what peaches he can sell, but he’s looking to the province for help.
“It’s very difficult to survive for the farmers. So we are looking for any support from the government,” he said.
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said he has asked Premier David Eby to remember that they need help.
After 32 years in the business, Saran and countless other residents will have to start fresh again.
As usual, the taxpayers will foot the bill
You mean my condo in Vancouver? Lol I bet you couldn’t even afford a condo out here. Stay in your little truckstop town buddy. You belong there
Why not come out from your mother’s closet and get some sun , Jay?
My father had a saying, never invest in anything that can die, like race horses or cherries. Are we going to bail you all out again? My crop never comes in, and I don’t get a bail out. As a matter of fact, I was handed my hat to make room for the 12,000 evacuees. They pay better. Rich people sure do like begging for money.
Yeah people get hurt why act like it’s new ? bikes roller blades skiing it gose with territory. Those numbers are so low compared to people driving, people using drugs. even the covid job has way more deaths and injury. so let’s not play the old slight of hand here
Mark S – I’m sure if these farmers were white you’d be all for them getting funding from the government. F**cking goof
Mark S – Wait why shouldn’t these farmers get help from the government? They only provide FOOD for the PUBLIC. You must be another resident of Stupidtown
Just wait!! Wanna BET that Eby is going to provide TAX PAYER funded bailout money to the farmers…. I’ll bet my house on it. Yet he won’t do ****t for homeowners who lost their homes. Can’t wait for the next election. NDP days are numbered
Anonymous – What are you even talking about? If you’re making a living then you would have the money to buy peaches. Seriously where do you live… Stupidtown?
Too bad they could not process them on site, I would buy a few dozen canned vine rippened free stone peaches. Very few poeple can anymore, too busy trying to make a living