Dilworth Mountain Park closed immediately because of extreme fire risk

KELOWNA – The steady hot dry weather forecast has created an extreme fire hazard at Dilworth Mountain prompting the city to close the park to the public.

Dilworth Mountain Park has natural areas surrounding neighbourhoods along Summit Road and Dilworth Drive. The access area off of Chilcotin Crescent was closed today but city staff will monitor the risk and reopen the park when it's safe.

“The Okanagan has been experiencing steady hot weather the past several weeks and our parks, especially the natural ones, are becoming extremely dry,” Urban Forestry Supervisor Blair Stewart said in a press release. “Currently, the risk of grass fires is high and we need to reduce the potential for any type of ignition at this time.”

Campfires and barbecues are not allowed in regional parks with the exception of barbecues on beaches. Smoking is also prohibited in all natural areas.

Park users and park neighbours are asked to be vigilant. Anyone noticing smoke or fire in any park should immediately call *5555, the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch or 911 to speak to the fire department.

For information on City parks and beaches, see kelowna.ca/parks.

A wildfire was sparked August 7 near Peachland just off Highway 97C near Mackinnon Road.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.