Just ahead of the August Long Weekend, the City of Kamloops has closed all of its nature parks and nature trails due to the growing threat of a wildfire within city limits.
This means no walking, biking or driving in any of the local nature parks or trails as of 4 p.m. Friday, August 4.
Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc says the closure – which is not unprecedented – applies to all of the trails that connect Barnhartvale to Peterson Creek through Juniper Ridge, as well as the Dallas-Barnhartvale Nature Park, Kenna Cartwright Park, Peterson Creek Nature Park, Rose Hill Park, Skyline Park, and Valleyview Nature Park.
It also includes Kamloops Bike Ranch and the Barnhartvale Landfill and Yard Waste Depot until further notice.
“Yesterday, BC Wildfire in their update to us had upgraded the fire danger rating to extreme, Level 5,” Uzeloc told Radio NL. “And then of course, as everyone is aware, the province also updated the drought situation to a Level 5.”
“[We’re heading into] a long weekend where the ability to call in resources might be challenged, and the fact that our partners at BC Wildfire Service obviously are pretty busy with their resources. Lot of the times, when we get those fires, especially in these types of areas, we rely on the BC Wildfire Service to assist us, and we know that that assistance right now may be delayed.”
Uzeloc says parks crews are in the process of installing closure signs notifying people about the closures. He says Community Services Officers will also be out monitoring compliance, and that people found using the parks may be fined.
“Residents are reminded that smoking is always prohibited in all City parks and walking trails,” Uzeloc added.
“Given the extremely dry conditions, we are urging residents to be extremely cautious with smoking materials in all areas of the city and to only use designated containers to dispose of cigarettes, matches, and other smoking-related materials.”
In an olive-branch to those who would normally walk the trails, the City of Kamloops will open up the Sandman Centre as an interim measure to allow people to remain active.
With today’s closure of nature parks and natural areas and current upgrades at the Hillside Stadium Track and TCC indoor fieldhouse, the Sandman Centre concourse will be open for walking on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:00 am–12:00 pm, August 9–23. https://t.co/s2ScoA6sWz pic.twitter.com/vDma3HHOEo
— City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) August 4, 2023
The City is also urging people to report users of closed parks by calling Community Services at 250-828-3409. They’re also being urged to call 911 if the suspect there is a fire in nature parks or trails.
“The public can play an important role in fire prevention by staying aware, reporting fires immediately, and keeping all vehicles and bikes away from dry areas,” the City added.
You can find more information on fire prevention here.
– With files from Paul James