Metro Vancouver regional park reopens after Coquitlam wildfire
Posted March 16, 2023 12:30 pm.
After a rare October wildfire forced the closure of some heavily-forested areas in the Lower Mainland, Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam has fully reopened to the public.
According to the Regional District of Metro Vancouver, areas like the High Knoll Trail have been closed since the fire as crews removed hazard trees and undertook safety assessments. The park will fully reopen as of 12 p.m. on Thursday.
Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam has fully reopened after a rare October wild forced parts to close over the winter. (Photo supplied by Regional District of Metro Vancouver)
“Visitors will notice an increased staff presence on trails and are reminded that smoking is strictly prohibited. Visitors are also strongly urged to stay on designated trails as there is an increased risk of hazards in off-trail areas due to wildfire damage,” the district said in a release.
On Oct. 1, 2022, BC Wildfire Service crews responded to a fire in the High Knoll area of the park which ended up growing to 14 hectares. Crews worked for weeks to extinguish the flames in the midst of a weeks-long Fall drought.
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The fire was determined to have been human-caused.
In an effort to help clean up some of the fire-damaged areas, there was a fundraiser held by the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation. More than $14,000 was raised to fund restoration efforts.
