Wildfires force cancelation of TransRockies Gravel Royale
Gravel stage race called off due to the escalating situation in B.C.
TransRockies is being forced to cancel its gravel stage race, Gravel Royale, for a second time. The long-running event promoters announced earlier this week that the wildfire situation in B.C. and Alberta would make running Gravel Royale safely impossible.
“It is with heavy hearts and a commitment to safety as our top priority, we regret to announce the cancellation of the highly anticipated TransRockies Gravel Royale 2023. The decision comes in response to the ongoing wildfire situation that has affected the race route and surrounding areas,” TransRockies’ statement read. “Despite our dedicated efforts and consultations with BC Wildfire officials over the past week, it has become apparent that proceeding with the event would pose too great a risk to participants, staff, and the local communities.”
The 2023 Gravel Royale route was set to pass near several significant fire zones in the Kootenay and Purcell ranges. Since TransRockies announcement, wildfire activity in at least one of those areas, the Horsethief Creek Complex fire, has significantly increased. But concerns over the impact that running the race, with re-routes around closed areas, would have on the local communities and firefighting efforts were also key to TransRockies decision.
B.C. has since declared a provincial state of emergency due to significantly increased wildfire activity in several regions, especially around West Kelowna and Kelowna.
Long history and a little bad luck
This is the second time in recent years that TransRockies has had to cancel the Gravel Royale on relatively short notice. In 2021, a sudden change in provincial health orders forced the veteran race organizers to cancel with just days’ notice. The Gravel Royale made a successful debut in 2022 with Rob Britton and Rachel McBride taking wins.
TransRockies continues to host numerous mountain bike and trail running events, including the classic Singletrack 6 cross country mountain bike stage race. Singletrack 6 was very successfully held recently in a similar area to where Gravel Royale was scheduled to take place. This year, ST6 marked 20 years since TransRockies Challenge first brought XC stage racing to the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
TransRockies statement on the 2023 Gravel Royale cancellation
Since TransRockies provided such a clear statement on the many considerations that go into a decision like cancelling an event, and responsibly cancelling before any orders forced the decision, we have
Several key factors contributed to this difficult decision:
1. Wildfire Proximity:
The Horsethief Creek Complex, comprised of the Horsethief, Yearling, and Mia Creek fires, poses a significant threat along the route. All three fires have been classified as “Out of Control,” creating an unpredictable and potentially hazardous environment.
2. Evacuation Concerns and Emergency Response:
Although the evacuation order for Nipika has been lifted, the area remains under an “evacuation alert”. In the event of further closures or emergencies, the options for transporting a large group of riders out of Nipika are limited, raising safety concerns in case of unforeseen circumstances.
3. Course Disruption:
A section of the race course near Nipika, particularly Cochran Creek, remains closed due to wildfire activity. This closure necessitates a reroute, which could impact the overall race experience.
4. Uncontained Mia Creek Fire:
The Mia Creek fire continues to spread, with limited containment progress. BC Wildfire authorities have expressed apprehension about potential fire spread, especially if wind conditions change. The inaccessibility of the area further complicates firefighting efforts. Portions of the planned route are within the current Area Restriction and closure.
5. Air Quality and Smoke Concerns:
While smoke has not been a significant issue at present, the situation is unpredictable and could rapidly worsen. Given the nature of the race as a point-to-point event, it is challenging to adjust stages to account for poor air quality.
6. Permit Uncertainty:
Ongoing evacuation alerts in the Nipika area could lead to officials withholding of necessary permits, creating additional obstacles for organizing a safe and successful event.
