Ministry Of Forests - Road Closure Bulletin

[narc]

For Immediate Release
Aug. 28, 2003
Ministry of Forests

Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL RESTRICTED IN RESPONSE TO FIRE RISKS

firstly: Provincial parks with supervised camping and day-use areas will stay open to the public, but campers and outdoor enthusiasts will not be permitted to hike on trails in those parks or stray far from supervised areas. The province-wide campfire ban remains in place

Backcountry enthusiasts face fines of up to $10,000 and six months in prison if they venture into the southern B.C. wilderness.

The ban, which is to take effect at noon today, was announced as Kelowna residents returned to their homes and residents of Cranbrook watched anxiously to learn if their homes will be the next to be consumed by the fires.

The restriction on backcountry travel covers a vast portion of the province from Clearwater to the U.S. border and from southern Vancouver Island to the Alberta border. It does not include the Cariboo region.

All Crown lands and forest service roads in the restricted area are closed. Forest service roads used for access to private property, commercial lodges, municipal lands and First Nations reserve lands are exempt from the restriction order, issued under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act.

The restriction will remain in place until Sept. 14, but may be lifted if there is rain, Forests Minister Mike de Jong said.

Provincial parks with supervised camping and day-use areas will stay open to the public, but campers and outdoor enthusiasts will not be permitted to hike on trails in those parks or stray far from supervised areas. The province-wide campfire ban remains in place


http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/511_84.pdf
http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/nrm_news_...043-000773.htm


Until the lower portion of the Province of BC, anything SOUTH of Prince George receives atleast a 5day week of a continuous torrential downpour, don't expect to go camping anytime soon or have that outdoor party. This closure always gives legal authorities an excuse to set up roadblocks on non-native roads to prevent anyone into the Popkum area.

So anyone planning on throwing an outdoor party, recon your sites and plan a backup.

Be warned.

[M!SKA]

Funny, I was just reading that on the gov website 10 min ago.

Puts a huge NO on any outdoor parties planned.

[Kraig]

^^ So what about your party next week Just Giver?

[M!SKA]

we're figuring out something as we speak.

an announcement will be made soon as to what on earth is going on. lol

[Kraig]

Ahh okay!

[justin]

oh no.. i hope the party is still on :(

[Ree Fresh]

Of corse its still on!
We just need to find a safer place to have it. Its the end of summer, promis biggest gong show EVER @ JUST GIVE'R!

[Miss T]

ya, just an update cuz i live on chilliwack lake road. there is a sign that says all roads entering the forest will be closed. maybe i'll take a drive up to the spot later and see what the dilly-oh. :)

[Filo]

don't u live on chilliwack lake rd. miss t??

how far up is it closed off? they can't close off the entire road if ppl live past a certain point

[alkatraz]

the spot where we camp is way up the road, past all the houses unfortunately...

[cheeseburger]

we're working on a different secure location.

Details to be posted asap

[Miss T]

chilliwack lake road is still open as far as i know. its just all the side dirt roads that lead into the forest i believe. anywhere that can't be seen in full view from the road and has tree will most likely be out of commission.

[krisamata]

^^^ in other words exactly where we were gonna go for just give'r


hmm....wasnt it yoko that just posted that she has the house to herself for 3 weeks....lets party there
;)

[cheeseburger]

Originally posted by ninewells
we're working on a different secure location.

Details to be posted asap

[yoko*]

Originally posted by krisamata


hmm....wasnt it yoko that just posted that she has the house to herself for 3 weeks....lets party there
;)

uhm, how bout NO!?

[Nurse_Rachet]

My bf and I just got back from camping in the Chilliwack Forest District at this logging road campsite not too long ago and the forest ranger guy Fire thingy person drove up there and told us about it. We saw helicopters bucketing up water from the lake we were at and extinguishing a fire close to us.

[agent.starling]

everyone better be real careful ... a bunch of the forest fires were started by a simple cigarette not being put out. it is sooo dry. and the law is being enforced beyond belief.