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The quick read: The Eagle Trail at Shannon Lake Regional Park in West Kelowna is temporarily closed from October 26 to October 28 while forestry contractors thin trees and reduce vegetation to lower wildfire risk. The main park entrance and parking lot off Swite Road stay open, and the fishing dock and washrooms remain accessible.

West Kelowna trail users, take note: part of Shannon Lake Regional Park is closed this week.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan says wildfire risk reduction work began in the eastern portion of Shannon Lake Regional Park on October 26.

The work requires a temporary closure of trails in the area and may cause some disruption for park visitors.

What is closed, and what is not

For public safety, the Eagle Trail is temporarily closed from October 26 to October 28, weather and operational conditions permitting.

The closure begins beyond the rest area near the washrooms and extends toward the upper portions of the park near the Shannon Ridge neighbourhood.

Visitors are asked to respect all trail closures and posted signs and to follow the direction of crews working in the area.

The main park entrance and parking lot off Swite Road will remain open throughout the project.

The fishing dock and washroom facilities will also remain accessible.

What the crews are doing

Qualified forestry contractors are working in the park to remove and prune trees and reduce vegetation that could fuel a wildfire.

This type of work is carried out regularly throughout the regional parks system to help reduce wildfire risk and support healthy, resilient forests.

The work is part of the district's ongoing wildfire prevention and FireSmart efforts, and supports priorities in the 2020 Parks Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the updated 2026 Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

This work is an important investment in wildfire prevention and community safety, said Tracy Draper, the district's Director of Parks Services.

By reducing the amount of vegetation that could fuel a wildfire, the work helps create a more resilient landscape around Shannon Lake while maintaining the park for residents and visitors to enjoy, she said.

Proof that prevention works

The district points to a recent example close to home.

Fuel reduction work completed at Kalamoir Regional Park before the June 2026 wildfire reduced the amount of vegetation available to fuel the fire, and was identified as an important factor in limiting its severity.

That is the kind of common-sense spending taxpayers should support: money spent clearing fuel before a fire, not just fighting fires and rebuilding after them.

Prevention is cheaper than disaster, and it protects homes, parks, and lives.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan offers more than 2,100 hectares of parkland, including 86 kilometres of designated trails in 30 regional parks.

Residents are encouraged to check for updates through RDCO Parks.

Plan around the Eagle Trail closure through Wednesday, respect the signs, and give the crews room to work.

Sources: Regional District of Central Okanagan news release, "Fuel mitigation work planned at Shannon Lake Regional Park," October 22, 2026.

Photo credit: Photo by Ali Kazal on Unsplash