By Greg Fry

Province closes Elephant Hill wildfire area to off-road vehicle use

May 15, 2018 | 2:33 PM

CACHE CREEK, B.C. — Off-roading will be banned in the Elephant Hill wildfire area effective this Thursday.

The closure will remain in effective until Dec. 31, 2018 and is part of the province’s efforts to restore portions of Elephant Hill that were severely affected by wildfires last summer.

It will apply to motorized vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and all types of off-road recreational vehicles, except on existing roads.

You can view a map of the affected area by clicking here.

“Unauthorized off-road vehicle use can have many negative effects including soil compaction, erosion, increases in invasive plants, garbage accumulation and pollution from camper trailer holding tanks,” says a provincial news release. “This affects grassland health and wildlife habitat, as well as quality and availability of water for wildlife and livestock.”

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The closure will not apply to:

• Authorized users performing activities associated with agreements awarded pursuant to provincial statute, such as existing tenures.
• Snowmobiles operating on a minimum of 0.5 metres of snow.
• The following existing recreational trails:
• Green Lake Snowmobile Trail (REC6246)
• 70 Mile-Green Lake Trail (REC6897)
• Interlakes Snowmobile Trail (REC6961)

The province says existing roads will stay open for public access into the closure area.

Last summer’s Elephant Hill wildfire burned an estimated 191,865 hectares.