Wildfire danger shuts down 16 Central Okanagan parks

KELOWNA – Dry conditions and an extreme fire danger rating has prompted the closure of more than a dozen parks in the Central Okanagan.

Both the Regional District and City of West Kelowna have announced park closures today, July 18, in the name of public safety.

Eight park have been closed in West Kelowna and eight Regional Parks are now off limits.

Bruce Smith with the Regional District says for the first time since 2014, officials have closed the gates to several parks in the region. Any programs scheduled for the parks will be moved to another location and anyone registered will be contacted.

The following parks in the Regional District are closed until further notice:

Trepanier Creek Greenway Regional Park
Coldham Regional Park
Glen Canyon Regional Park
Kalamoir Regional Park
Rose Valley Regional Park
Stephens Coyote Regional Park
Scenic Canyon Regional Park
Mission Creek Greenway (Phase 2)

The following City of West Kelowna parks are closed until further notice:

Mt. Boucherie Trails – including Boucherie Rush and Boucherie Grind
Eain Lamont Park – Lakeview Cove Road
Rose Valley Trail access – McDougall Road
Casa Palmero Park and Walkway – Casa Palmero Drive
Davidson Creek Park – Shannon Woods Drive
Shannon Way Park – Shannon Way
Rock Ridge Park – Griffiths Place
Wild Horse Park – Wild Horse Drive

Along with the province-wide campfire ban, officials remind the public that open burning, campfires, backyard fire puts are also not allowed. Fireworks are banned unless permission is granted by the local government, according to the release.

Call West Kelowna Bylaw Enforcement at 778-797-8810, or Kelowna Bylaw Enforcement at 250-469-8686 to report anyone using closed parks. Anyone found inside a closed park could be subject to a fine of $500.

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