McDougall Creek Wildfire
Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service
September 20, 2023 - 7:00 AM
On Aug. 16, many watched from across the lake as the McDougall Creek wildfire crept down into Bear Creek Provincial Park.
Now the scorched area left behind leaves questions regarding the future of the park, the damage to its landscape and safety concerns related to danger trees and debris.
The official finalized damage report from the McDougall Creek wildfire is still not yet known. It's not know if it will be available for camping next year or not.
The most recent reports include 189 damaged properties although, with the fire spanning across at least 12,000 hectares of land but Bear Creek campground and canyon trail parking lot somehow survived. The steps of the canyon trail, however, may not have been so lucky, but it's hard to tell the damage there just yet.
BC Parks told iNFOnews.ca that BC Wildfire services has been using the campground area as a fire camp to support efficient response and protection of the community.
When asked how the affected areas will be restored and made safe again for public access, BC Parks said that they will first need to confirm that access restrictions have been lifted and that the area is safe for staff to access.
Staff will next determine the condition of the park and any facilities before undertaking geotechnical assessments and wildlife danger tree assessments to ensure the park is safe for the public to access.
BC Parks will the need to make sure that water systems, septic systems and other facilities are safe and functioning before posting signage and information on the website advising the public of recent fire activity, possible hazards that may still exist and ways to continue to enjoy the park while still allowing its natural recovery.
It is not clear what work, if any, will be done to plant new trees or rehabilitate the natural recovery of the plant life and flora in the park.
In their response, BC Parks said that their "process will be followed to determine opening of the canyon nature trail.”
It is therefore not yet clear when the park will be reopened or when the damaged nature trail will be accessible to the public.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2023