Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adel Ahmed

CITY OF KAMLOOPS PARKS

City of Kamloops, KFR reopen parks and trails for public use

Aug 11, 2023 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Seven days is all it took before the City of Kamloops and the Kamloops Fire Rescue decided to reopen parks to the public on Friday (August 11).

“We did have some rain, some cooler temperatures,” Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc told CFJC Today. “The BC Wildfire has changed the fire danger rating for this region and dropped it.”

Uzeloc says the cooler temperatures earlier this week wasn’t the only reason behind city parks opening up again. It was also to lessen the impact on businesses and those who take the trails to work.

“Even if it’s opening it for a few days we know that there were some businesses impacted by the closures and of course some of the trails that people use to get to work for different things were closed as well,” said Uzeloc. “We looked at that and we thought it was probably best for the best to open that up even though we may have to close them again.”

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Temperatures are expected to rise up to as high as 38 degrees early next week. The city may close up the parks for a second time if conditions worsen. For now, people that visit the trails are happy it’s open.

“I’m glad the park was shut down but I’m also very glad that today it’s open.” said one resident.

“When they’re open we do appreciate it because they’re beautiful and it’s great for the dogs to get out and have good exercise.” said another resident at Kenna Cartwright Park.

In the meantime, Uzeloc is asking the public to practice firesmart behavior and to not be smoking in parks.

“Even around where smoking is allowed, make sure you’re putting any smoking related materials out properly in metal containers filled with sand or water. Don’t throw them on the ground, don’t throw them in the garbage.”