The seventh annual Test of Humanity mountain bike race is planned for Sunday, Sept. 17, but organizers say the event could be cancelled because of this year’s wildfire season.
“There’s a possibility this event may not go,” said race director Nic Seaton. “We have been following a very cautious fire safety plan. If the conditions remain stable or improve over the next week, then we are well equipped to host the event.”
Crews from Argo Road Maintenance and Quastuco Silviculture have provided water trucks, water tanks and fire suppression equipment for the event.
The mountain bike race attracts more than 300 riders from all over western Canada.
It is a fundraiser to provide support to Canadian Humanitarian’s projects educating vulnerable children in Ethiopia.
In the six years the event has run, more than $270,000 has been raised.
This year, Bisrat Sime, who manages and operates the programs in Ethiopia, will be at the event to share some of the organization’s accomplishments. The first student who entered the program as a young girl has graduated with her doctorate of medicine.
Throughout the summer, conditions have been hot and dry in the B.C. interior and at present, the Finlay Creek wildfire continues to burn between Summerland and Peachland, leaving the region blanketed in smoke.
The smoke is affecting breathing and riders with exercise-induced asthma may decide not to participate in the event.
Information about the Test of Humanity and Canadian Humanitarian’s work can be found at testofhumanity.com.