Portion of Commons closed to public after wildfire

Firefighters at the site of the wildfire at the Commons on Monday, July 8.
Photos courtesy Bob Andrew, Gabriola Commons

Sounder News

On July 9, a portion of the Commons property was closed to the public.

Gabriola Fire Chief Will Sprogis said the closure comes after a wildfire took place at the Commons on the evening of July 8.

Sprogis said the area being closed is all of the densely wooded area in the southwest corner of the Commons, which borders along the Folklife Village and Huxley Park properties.

The trail between the Commons and Huxley Park along North Road remains open.

The fire was responded to and quickly extinguished by firefighters from the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire had been lit in a secluded area of the Commons property.

This resulted in the decision to close the area to the public.

Sprogis said firefighters did find a stove at the scene of the fire. They also found firewood and other debris.

“We believe this was a campfire.”

He said there were signs of someone starting to set up a camp, including a shelter.

“It’s obviously something they’ve been at for a while now.

“Because the Commons is doing the patrols, this person decided to get out of sight, and went into heavy salal.”

The island was lucky, according to Sprogis, that the fire happened, “on Monday night, as opposed to Saturday when we had a strong west wind.

“That wind had died when this fire occurred. Luckily it didn’t move too far from the campsite. But with the wind and dry conditions, it could have quickly escalated.”

He said the fire area itself was limited to a few square meters.

“If wind had picked up, we could have had an area a couple hectares.”

RCMP Detachment Commander Jordan Mullen said there is not an RCMP investigation as part of the fire.

“We don’t know the intentions of the person, whether this was to stay warm, or cook food.

“We don’t believe someone was intentionally trying to start a wildfire.

“It is a secluded area, and an area where people have been known to camp, and often are unaware of the fire restrictions, or don’t care to follow those rules. We [RCMP] support the Commons and Folklife with shutting down their area to the general public and to those who have been tenting in that area, to ensure the safety of the island.”

Mullen confirmed that if people are found going into the area that has been cordoned off as closed to the public, they could be charged with trespassing.

If anyone has information regarding the fire, they are asked to contact Crimestoppers Nanaimo, or Gabriola RCMP at 250-247-8333.

Portion of Folklife property will also be closed to public

Sprogis said a meeting was held on July 10, which included Mullen, and representatives of the Commons, and Folklife Village.

He said Folklife management will be closing the wooded area behind Folklife to the public, matching up against the area of the Commons that is being closed off.

The exception will be the area along the border of Huxley Park on the south side of the Sports Court. Sprogis said RCMP suggested this to allow people one spot to group up at, where they are out in a more public area.

“Then we can keep an eye on things. That’ll be a trial run to see if that is effective.”

Sprogis said, “the real message is these property owners are working together, and we are asking even the public to assist and doing patrols and being present. Making sure people are obeying the fire line tape and not going past it.

“We’ve conducted a few patrols. GVFD, and RCMP will be patrolling.

“We’re happy the Commons moved quickly on it, Folklife has moved quickly on it as well.

“Monday I’m having a meeting with RDN bylaw [staff], just in case any of these problems occur in Huxley Park.”

Sprogis said since the closure went into effect, what he’s heard has been positive, and said those persons who are sleeping at the Commons are now doing so in the open areas.

“We know there’s a draw with being in the Village, the core area, our hope is they will camp in the open, where they can be seen and kept safe.”

According to Sprogis, the Board of the Commons Foundation supports the closure decision and will continue to patrol the area along with RCMP assistance.

The Gabriola Arts Council has also been directly notified of this closure, as it is hosting the Cultivate Festival this weekend.

The closure will not impact the festival plans.