Thursday, August 15, 2024 – The District of Sooke is sharing the following from the Capital Regional District regarding the park reopening, ongoing closures and related precautions in response to the Old Man Lake Wildfire:
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is re-opening official trails within Sea to Sea Regional Park as well as a section of Sooke Potholes Regional Park and Galloping Goose Regional Trail after closures took place in July due a wildfire in the area. The District of Sooke’s Potholes Gateway has also reopened as have BC Parks in the area.
The following area and park closures will remain in place for the foreseeable future for public safety:
- The area in Sea to Sea Regional Park north of Peden Lake Trail and Empress Mountain Trail is closed
- Sooke Potholes Regional Park is closed north of Parking Lot 2
- The Galloping Goose Regional Trail is closed north of the Peden Lake Trail access
- The Spring Salmon Place (KWL-UCHUN) Campground in Sooke Potholes Regional Park remains closed
- Kapoor Regional Park remains closed
The Old Man Lake Wildfire, which started in Sea to Sea Regional Park on July 22, was listed as ‘under control’ by BC Wildfire Service on August 7. Thanks to heroic efforts by BC Wildfire Service, the District of Sooke staff and firefighters, the Sooke RCMP, T’Sou-ke First Nation, CRD staff, and all others involved, the fire was held at 230 hectares.
It is important to note that although the status of the Old Man Lake Fire is listed as ‘under control’ it is still active. Crews from the CRD continue to work in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service to closely monitor the fire and will do so well into the fall months.
The CRD anticipates some areas, particularly the northern parts of Sea to Sea Regional Park, northern sections of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and Kapoor Regional Park to remain closed for the foreseeable future. In closed areas, staff will continue to assess and mitigate risks to public safety, including factors like slope stability in steep terrain and danger trees. It isn’t clear at this time when re-opening closed areas will be feasible, however any updates, when available, will be posted on the CRD website at www.crd.bc.ca/about/alerts-notices/service-alerts.
The CRD would like to remind park visitors that with the continuing area closure at Sooke Potholes Regional Park, parking will be limited. If the parking lot is full and/or the park is busy when you arrive, consider going to a different park or visiting at a quieter time. Be sure to follow any parking signage outside of the park and be considerate of parking on nearby streets and blocking emergency access to the park or surrounding areas.
Extended warm, dry weather conditions increase the risk of wildfire in our region, and particularly in natural areas like CRD Regional Parks. The CRD asks that everyone continue to help protect natural areas by using their park etiquette and doing their part to prevent wildfires. This means packing out any trash, including glass, always staying on sanctioned trails, and most of all never smoking or having campfires in parks. It is also important that the wildfire area remain free from drone activity as it is still active airspace for BC Wildfire Service crews.
To report a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire in British Columbia, please call 1-800-663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone) as soon as possible.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
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