Top of Knox Mountain still off limits to cars as weather heats up in Central Okanagan

KELOWNA – An abundance of caution will keep the road to the top of Knox Mountain Park closed to vehicle traffic at least through the weekend.

A fire near the top of the mountain Tuesday, Aug. 9, brought a swift response from Kelowna Fire Department crews and the city closed the road to vehicles at the first lookout that night.

The fire danger rating in one of Kelowna’s most popular parks is extreme, and communications supervisor Tom Wilson said there seemed little point in opening the road today, only to close it again on Sunday for the Hard Knox running race scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m.

As well, the forecast is calling for a hot, dry weekend through to Sunday which could send the fire danger rating higher, Wilson said.

“All those things together, they just thought it would be safer,” he added.

Knox Mountain Park Road is frequently closed to motorized vehicles in the summer months when the mountain dries out and the rating climbs, for fear of a sparks from vehicles igniting grass fires.

Residents and visitors can still access the first lookout by vehicle but only bikes and foot traffic is allowed beyond that.

Wilson said parks and other staff wiill meet Monday morning  to reasess the closure.

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