Province readies wildfire damaged Shuswap park for Salute to the Sockeye

Province readies wildfire damaged Shuswap park for Salute to the Sockeye

Published 11:54 am Thursday, May 21, 2026

The public will have improved access to this year’s Adams River salmon run with wildfire damaged areas of Tsútswecw Park having been repaired.

The Ministry of Environment and Parks announced Thursday, May 21, that the first phase of infrastructure repairs had been completed at the provincial North Shuswap park,”marking a significant step in restoring areas that were heavily damaged” in the Bush Creek East wildfire.

“The main plaza area has been restored so people can access and enjoy the Viewing Platform Trail, Island Loop Trail and Plaque Channel Trail,” said the ministry in a news release, noting the area is “used for the popular Salute to the Sockeye festival, which will be held at the park in October.”

The ministry said the August 2023 wildfire burned through most of the park, causing significant damage to bridges, boardwalks, benches and other infrastructure.

The first phase of repairs included:

• Replacing two small pedestrian bridges and repairing a large pedestrian bridge along the Island Loop Trail;

• Replacing multiple sections of fencing in the main plaza area; and

• Repairing sections of the trail that were damaged by erosion associated with the fire.

Expected to begin later this year, the second phase will focus on hazardous trees along the Wade Road and Flume trails.

“Some areas of the park remain closed due to ongoing hazards, such as unstable slopes and trees burned by the fire,” said the ministry. “Ecological recovery efforts have also been ongoing since the wildfire, with a focus on restoring native ecosystems and protecting cultural heritage values.”

The estimated total cost of the project is $2.1 million, and is largely supported by the Government of Canada’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

Formerly names after conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown Park, Tsútswecw Park was established in 1977 to “conserve and protect spawning beds used by sockeye, chinook, coho and pink salmon.”

“Every four years is a dominant run for sockeye salmon, with millions of fish returning to the Adams River, which has one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in North America,” said the ministry, noting the Salute to the Sockeye festival, organized by the Adams River Salmon Society, “attracts more than 100,000 visitors from all over the world to witness the salmon run.”

“The best place to see the salmon is the viewing platform located approximately 300 metres west of the parking lot.”

Read more: Viewpoint: Future for Tsútswecw Park looking most uncertain