ACCESS TO HORSE BARN VALLEY HAS BEEN AFFECTED
From BC WILDFIRE (July 23, 2026):
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Matthew Creek wildfire (N11020), part of the Bootleg Complex. This wildfire is estimated to be 869 hectares and is located in the Matthew Creek area, approximately 10 km west of the City of Kimberley.
In the interest of public and responder safety, this area restriction takes effect at 1 p.m. Mountain Time on July 23, 2026.
This Order applies to Crown land within the geographic boundaries described below:
• Beginning at the intersection of Matthew Creek and St. Mary Lake Road (001)
• Then east along the north side of St. Mary Lake Road to Matthew Creek FSR (002)
• Follow the east side of Matthew Creek FSR north to Mark Creek FSR (003)
• Then follow the east side of Mark Creek FSR north for approximately 8.25 km
• Continue north along the east side of Mark Creek North Spur to the Mark Creek bridge crossing
• From the bridge, follow the North Fork of Mark Creek to the height of land east of Mount Buhl (004)
• Then along the height of land west to Mount Lindsay (005)
• Southwest to Boulder Peak (006)
• And south to Pyramid Mountain (007)
• Continue east across Murphy Pass along the height of land to Bootleg Mountain. (008)
• From Bootleg Mountain, follow the drainage east along the north boundary of the Bootleg Mountain Recreation Site to Matthew Creek, (009)
• Then follow Matthew Creek downstream south to the point of commencement
Note: Travel is permitted on St Mary Lake Road. Entering into the restricted area off St Mary Lake Road is prohibited. Travel is NOT permitted on Matthew Creek FSR and Mark Creek FSR.
The full bulletin and detailed map can be viewed here: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/.../area-restriction-in-effect.../



WELCOME TO THE LARGEST MUNICIPAL PARK IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
The Kimberley Nature Park protects important wildlife habitat and provides exceptional opportunities for ecological education and non-motorized recreation. Located inside the City of Kimberley in the foothills of the Purcell Mountain range, the 840-hectare nature park and the adjacent 200-hectare Horse Barn Valley Interpretive Forest contain more than 50 kilometres of trails linking forested hillsides, panoramic viewpoints, pockets of old-growth cedar, rugged talus slopes and numerous small ponds and streams. The largest municipal park in British Columbia is managed by the non-profit Kimberley Nature Park Society, which has a mandate of conservation, education and recreation.









