Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park off Kidston Road in Coldstream (File photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Pete McIntyre

Wildfire risk

Coldstream calls for ‘no smoking’ signs and enforcement in Kal Lake Park

Aug 29, 2023 | 12:49 PM

Coldstream council is calling on the province to do a better job of letting people know that smoking is not allowed in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.

At its meeting Aug. 28, council authorized Mayor Ruth Hoyte to send a letter to the Ministry of Environment and BC Parks requesting that they provide significant no smoking/fire risk signage throughout the park.

Council is also pushing for more park rangers and enforcement of the no smoking rules.

Council took the action after a letter from Coldstream resident and frequent park user Richard Rolke who stated he was “increasingly concerned about the potential for wildfire” in the park, which could be sparked by a discarded cigarette.

“Smoking is not allowed in the park but it occurs regularly as there is no signage or enforcement,” Rolke wrote. “If a fire were to take hold in Kal Park, it will be the District of Coldstream trying to prevent its spread and residents will either be on alert or evacuating.”

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In addition to seeking more enforcement and park ranger presence, Rolke also suggested the District of Coldstream should ask BC Parks to present its wildfire mitigation plan for the park in the hope of reducing the fuel load.