
Gates are shut, but forest reserve still open for business
Wildfire closure a time to explore areas off-limits to motor vehicles
The yellow steel gates are locked, and the signs read: “Gate Closed. High Fire Hazard.”
But that doesn’t tell the whole story behind the seasonal gate closure to the Municipal Forest Reserve at Mount Prevost, Mount Sicker and Grace Road to prevent wildfires.
The municipality shut the gates effective July 5, but the mountains are still open — just not generally for motorized vehicles.

Shaun Mason, manager of parks and forestry for North Cowichan, notes that several groups have continued special access to the gates during the summer closure.
They include: the Island Soaring Society (paragliders); Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society (staff only, for trail work); Mosaic Forest Management (to access their property); and Canadian Coast Guard (which has a communications tower on Mount Sicker, but not on municipal land).
Says Mason: “I do consider and approve special event applications that are requesting access for low risk activities such as filming on mountain bike trails with a small crew that require minimal vehicle access along main forestry roads.
“Any such approvals are considered on a case by case basis and is contingent on adequate insurance coverage along with fire safety requirements which is consistent for vehicle access to any location within the MFR this time of year.”
Recreational users such as hikers and mountain bikers are welcome to go around the gates and act as the municipality’s “eyes and ears” in the forest reserve, Mason adds.

(In 2018 an arsonist is thought to have torched 5.9 hectares of forest on Maple Mountain, costing the Municipality $122,314 and BC Wildfire Service about $210,000 in firefighting costs. In that case, a mountain biker alerted authorities to the fire. https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/99de1075-b1fd-4eeb-8545-b2663e1e88b8 )
The seasonal gate closures can be an excellent time to explore the 5,000-hectare forest reserve — especially on e-bikes — in the absence of motor vehicle traffic. Chances are you won’t see another person.

It’s also a great opportunity to check out the recently sanctioned 13 expert downhill mountain bike runs. You’ll be surprised at some of the daredevil jumps on trails such as Adrenaline. A walk through the cool, leafy forest also yields some wonderful western red cedar trees.
To report a wildfire call 911 or 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 from a cell phone).
Subscribe free to sixmountains.ca. More than 49,000 unique visitors.
More on trail issues: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/4b8a2b51-5769-466c-99a4-ca90e76789b1
— Larry Pynn, July 31, 2024

