A map from B.C. Wildfire Service shows the extent of the Diamond Creek fire in Canada (solid line) as of Saturday. The fire spread from the U.S. and has forced the closure of Cathedral Provincial Park. (BC Wildfire Service)
BC Parks has shut all of Cathedral Provincial Park after a fire that has been burning for more than a month in Washington State crossed into Canada.
The Diamond Creek fire, which started on July 23 in the Paysayten Wilderness of Washington, crossed into B.C. near Border Lake last Wednesday.
It is now burning in the Ashnola Valley.
Everyone is advised to stay out of the backcountry area between Cathedral and Manning Provincial Parks and south of Placer Mountain while this fire is active, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) said in a news release issued late Thursday.
The area of the fire – between the two provincial parks – is popular for hiking, fishing and other recreational activities.
The fire does not currently threaten any private property or structures on the Canadian side, but evacuation orders are now in place for several communities on the U.S. side.
Trails in the area between the parks include Flat Top Mountain, Trappers Lake, the Centennial Trail, Monument 83, Border Lake and the Paysayten River Trail outside of Manning Park.
Trail users within Manning Park are advised to remain on alert for any change in conditions, the RDOS said.
The fire is suspected to be person caused and its estimated size is 4,814 hectares on the Canadian side of the border.
Border Lake is about 70 km west of Osoyoos.
Meanwhile, a new fire at Finlay Creek near Peachland broke out on Saturday and threatens homes. Evacuation orders and alerts are in place. The cause of the 1,000 hectare fire is still under investigation, but it is suspected to be human caused.
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