News release

Update #1 – Fire at Universal Ostrich Farm under investigation

September 24, 2025 - Edgewood, British Columbia
From: Nakusp RCMP

Content

Nakusp file 2025-273 and 2025-332

The BC RCMP’s presence at the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, BC is ongoing, at the request of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) while their operation is underway.

In the early morning hours on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, shortly before 4 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the farm after reports of a fire were received. Upon arrival, bales of hay were found to be fully engulfed in flames and smoke. The fire crew was able to contain the fire after several hours. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, which is believed to be suspicious.

The RCMP would like to emphasize that the CFIA is the lead agency in this dispute. We are an impartial party and are committed to ensuring public safety, police officer safety, and preservation of the rights of individuals to their freedoms of expression, association and mobility, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The police will take action on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on enforcement should there be any criminal activities that pose a threat to the safety of individuals or property.

Associated links

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Contacts