Effective Saturday, Aug. 11, all areas of Island Timberlands (IT) private forest lands on Vancouver Island are closed to public access.
All unauthorized access is prohibited, due to a high level of wildfire activity throughout the province, in combination with a forecast for ongoing hot and dry weather conditions, according to a release from IT.
The majority of IT lands have been closed for access during the week, but weekend access will also be closed starting this Saturday.
IT has responded to two wildfires on its landbase in the past two days. A three-hectare fire south of Turtle Lake is contained and crews are mopping up. A second wildfire, located west of Lacy Lake, is estimated at five hectares in size and is being aggressively actioned by ground and air crews. Both fires are suspected to be human-caused.
A campfire ban has been in place since mid-July, and IT has also closed firewood cutting.
IT forest lands will be closed until further notice.