Kalamoir Regional Park update: Working toward reopening following wildfire

Kalamoir Regional Park remains closed following the June 16, 2026, wildfire as recovery efforts continue and work begins toward reopening unaffected areas of the park.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue remains on site conducting mop-up operations and extinguishing hot spots. Residents may notice lingering smoke and ongoing movement of firefighting equipment in the area.

Although evacuation alerts have been lifted and the fire is under control, residents are asked to stay out of the park until further notice to allow crews to safely complete their work and prevent interference with ongoing recovery efforts. 

Once firefighting operations and the investigation into the cause of the fire are complete, control of the park will be returned to Regional District of Central Okanagan Parks Services. Parks staff will then begin detailed assessments of trails, infrastructure, natural areas and wildfire impacts to help determine next steps and guide reopening plans.

While the priority will be to reopen unaffected areas of the park as soon as possible, areas directly impacted by the wildfire may remain closed for an extended period while hazards are assessed and recovery work takes place. This work will include geotechnical assessments of affected areas, along with evaluations of wildfire-related impacts to park infrastructure, vegetation and natural features.

Wildfires can leave behind hazards that are not always immediately visible, including damaged trees, weakened root systems, unstable slopes, erosion concerns and ash pits. These assessments will help identify hazards and determine what work may be required before affected areas can safely reopen.

"We know Kalamoir Regional Park is deeply valued by the surrounding neighbourhood and by residents from across the region, and we understand people are eager to return," said Tracy Draper, director of Parks Services. "Our priority is reopening of unaffected areas as soon as it is safe to do so. At the same time, areas impacted by the wildfire will remain closed until hazards have been identified and addressed. Public safety will continue to guide every decision as we move through the recovery process."

Updates will continue to be shared at rdco.com/parks. Residents can also visit rdco.com/subscribe to receive the latest regional parks updates directly.

The wildfire highlighted the importance of fuel mitigation work and how it can positively impact the severity of wildfires. In 2024, the RDCO completed fuel mitigation work in Kalamoir Regional Park that played an important role in reducing the fuel load and severity of the wildfire. Community volunteer groups such as Friends of Kalamoir frequently conduct cleanups of the park to aid in this work.

FireSmart practices are proven to reduce wildfire severity, and over the years, the RDCO has completed fuel reduction work across hundreds of hectares in regional parks, particularly those located near wildfire interface neighbourhoods.

This incident also serves as an important reminder to practise fire safety in all regional parks, especially as summer temperatures rise. Please stay vigilant and help keep our parks safe.

Smoking, vaping, campfires and any open flame are not permitted at any time in RDCO regional or community parks. Propane-fuelled barbecues are permitted but must be attended and kept safely away from flammable materials.

While fines for anyone found violating Regional Parks or Community Parks bylaws range from $250 to $1,000, the greater danger is the risk that smoking and open fires could result in a serious wildfire that threatens parks, amenities, nearby residents and homes. If you see a fire in any of our parks, immediately call 911.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan offers more than 2,100 hectares of parkland, including 86 kilometres of designated trails in 30 regional parks for visitors to explore. Visit rdco.com/parks to plan your next outing.