Opposite this rest area is the charred evidence of the Cedar Hills forest fire which ignited in the late evening on Friday, August 1,2003. It was discovered and reported by a fire warden. The fire started directly across the highway from the rest stop, and in places, it spread onto the other side of the highway a little further east, sparing a farm and the Whispering Pines Motel. The weather and fire intensity at the time were high to extreme. The fire burned over 1,645 hectares of land and one residential home. A fire investigation was completed and the cause was determined to be a discarded cigarette from a passing motorist. (Most of the above info I received from a Provincial Fire Information Officer). Thanks also for those who fought this fire! There is a sign posted in the burnt section to remind travellers to prevent forest fires.
Although Smokey Bear is not a Canadian icon, many of us grew up with this fictional character giving us forest fire prevention messages on posters. Remember Smokey Bear with his forest ranger hat and shovel in hand? The Smokey Bear campaign started in 1944 is the longest running public service campaign in the USA’s history. Check out the history of Smokey at www.smokeybear.com. as it is really interesting or check out http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/smokey.htm to hear his song to take you down memory lane.
REMEMBER --- ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!
Also destroying our forests is the Pine Beetle. Between the washrooms, there is an info board, “Cycle of Nature”, about this enemy of our forests.