Good news for hikers in the Sooke area.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) said it would be re-opening trails within the 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 to 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 the Sea to Sea Regional Park on July 22nd, was listed as ‘under control’ by BC Wildfire Service on August 7th.
The Sooke wildfire was held to 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,” the Capital Regional District said in a news release.
“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 the 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 is not clear at this time when re-opening closed areas will be feasible, however any updates, when available, will be posted on the CRD website.
