On October 28, Minnekhada Regional Park will partially reopen, now that the wildfire that was sparked at the beginning of this month has been fully extinguished and is considered 'out.' Trails that will reopen fully or in part include Lodge Trail, Meadow Trail, Log Walk, and Quarry Trail. All other trails remain closed indefinitely while crews remove hazard trees, conduct archeological, environmental and safety assessments, and develop a restoration plan for the areas damaged by the fire. Oliver Road is currently open to pedestrians and cyclists, but remains closed to vehicle traffic. "We are incredibly proud of the firefighting crews who battled this wildfire on steep and challenging terrain," said Sav Dhaliwal, chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. "The response to this wildfire was truly a collaborative effort, with ground crews, supported by helicopters, working to protect this incredible regional park while preserving public and crew safety."On October 1, BC Wildfire Service, Metro Vancouver, and the Coquitlam Fire Department responded to reports of a fire in the High Knoll area of the park, which grew to 14 hectares in size. Crews worked long hours to get the fire under control, despite extremely dry conditions and challenging terrain. Following the recent rainfall, there are no remaining hotspots burning in the park. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but is believed to be human caused."I am pleased that Minnekhada Regional Park — a natural gem in the city of Coquitlam — and many of its popular hiking trails will now be partially reopening for the public to enjoy once again," said John McEwen, chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Committee. "There is still a lot of work ahead to restore the park and I strongly urge the public to stay out of areas that remain closed and present significant safety hazards."The Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Minnekhada Park Association, has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to support restoration efforts. The foundation will be matching all donations up to $10,000. Since 1981, Minnekhada Regional Park has been a popular spot in Coquitlam for residents to enjoy a hike and watch for wildlife. Adjacent to the Pitt River, the park and its marsh support important local ecosystems and extensive bear habitat. The park also features Minnekhada Lodge — once part of a historic 1930s country estate. Photos and videos of the firefighting effort and the park can be found here.