Old Glory Fire Lookout: abuse it and lose it

By Adrian Barnes

According to the Ministry of Forests and Range, access to the Old Glory fire lookout may be restricted if, says the Ministry's Karlie Shaughnessy, "more care isn’t taken by the public to prevent damage to it. In April, careless hikers left the door to the lookout open and the subsequent harsh weather tore the door right off its hinges".

The lookout is maintained by the Ministry of Forests and Range’s Wildfire Management Branch, but if the 82-year-old building sustains much more damage, it may have to be permanently closed to the public.

Old Glory has remained open and unlocked for the community’s recreational use for the last decade and a half.

"In order to help us preserve Old Glory, visitors to the historic site are asked to securely close the door when leaving, leave no garbage and leave the window shutters affixed," says Shaughnessy.

To find out more about the Wildfire Management Branch or for more information on open fire restrictions or updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.