Ganaraska Forest is closed until further notice after Saturday’s brief, but fierce storm.
With winds as strong as 132 kph travelling across Ontario, a number of people were killed across Ontario by falling trees.
A 30-year-old male riding a motorcycle died from his injuries after being struck by a tree in the Ganaraska Forest during the storm around 3 p.m.
CAO of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Linda Laliberte spoke to Today’s Northumberland and said the high winds caused “severe damage within the forest.”
“It’s going to be awhile as we do assess it, but tress are down across trails, across forest roads and people were trapped.”
Along with people being trapped on trails because of downed trees, some had to abandon their cars or bikes and make their own way out on foot.
“If people were hiking they could get out on foot, but for people on trail bikes, they were just left, because they could not access the trails. They had to get out on foot.”
Laliberte said although there were warnings on phones, it came as a surprise to many people.
“I don’t think people were aware it was going to be that severe.”
“We’ve got damage in there, that we don’t know the extent of it.
“There could be broken off trees that are hanging in the canopy. Should somebody be accessing our trails, one of those trees could come plummeting down and cause another fatality.”
Laliberte said they will be looking closely at the trails, clearing away the debris, “trying to make it safe for everyone to enjoy again.”
Ganaraska Forest is expected to remain closed at least for the remainder of the week.
“We’re going to try and assess and maybe get a flyover to see the damage, because with 11,000 acres it’s hard to assess it all on foot.”
A group of approximately 80 people were staying at the Forest Centre, but because the facility is without power they had to cancel their stay.
Treetop Trekking Ganaraska were safely able to get all their clients off the course and will also be assessing their damage.
The Forest Centre is closed with two pickup trucks blocking the entrance on Cold Springs Camp Road and caution tape on other parking areas.
Laliberte said that patrols will be strictly enforced with no one crossing the caution tape.
“It is so dangerous. We don’t want anybody out there and we don’t want to see any vehicles within our parking lots. It’s for their own safety. It may look safe, but they don’t know what’s in the canopy above.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
