WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2015
ON THE PODIUM
Abbotsford’s Alison Jackson finishes second at Tour de White Rock criterium A22
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‘Extreme’ fire risk
Golden boys Local athletes triumph at Pan Am Games A24-25
Danger of blaze leads to closure of Sumas Mountain park
TRAINS MAY RETURN
Alex BUTLER Abbotsford News
A5 Potential for increase in
The “extreme” hazard posed by the tinder-dry conditions has led to the closure of Sumas Mountain Interregional Park. The increasing possibility that a simple spark or a carelessly thrown cigarette butt could start a wildfire prompted a public meeting last Thursday at which dozens of Sumas Mountain residents discussed the need to close the park in order to prevent a human-caused fire in the nearby forest. Two days later, officials closed the gate to the park. Abbotsford assistant fire chief Jeff Adams told The News that a fire could easily be started by a cigarette or the spark from an ATV on Sumas Mountain. He added that the feedback has been good, as most people understand the reasoning behind limiting public access. Due to the lack of accessibility to the area, fighting a fire so high on Sumas Mountain would be very challenging for crews, said Adams. “It’s so tinder-dry on that southern face, a wildfire would just take off up the mountain so quickly.” The park is co-managed by Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD). The western and southern park flanks are within the City of Abbotsford where Metro Vancouver provides regional park services. The eastern portions of Sumas Mountain Interregional Park, including Chadsey Lake, are managed by the FVRD. The area also contains Crown land, which is where the lower gate is located at the start of the forest service road. The gate is managed by the City of Abbotsford under permit authorization from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, according to the ministry. Regional park staff will be patrolling the park to inform members of the public of the fire risk. In Mission, access to the western area of Stave Lake has already been limited, with the road blocked between 10
trains through Abbotsford as rail company seeks deal
TARGETED SHOOTING A3 Occupant of home hit by bullets refuses to co-operate with police
Above: Local rugby player Justin Douglas returned home this week with a gold medal won with Canada’s men’s rugby team at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. Left: On Sunday, Abbotsford’s Jared Mortensen (top of pile) claimed gold with Canada’s men’s baseball team. See stories on A24-25. ABOVE: BRANDON KOSTINUK Abbotsford News
FROM FORUM TO PROTEST A13 Visit from controversial Indian government minister leads to a public protest
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Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A9
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A22
Q Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Q
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A27
85¢
LEFT: Steve Russell/Toronto Star
Continued on A3
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