Public Service Announcements
Public Service Announcement
Mary Hill Vegetation Clearing near Galloping Goose Trail Continues - Metchosin
February 12, 2026 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
The Department of National Defence is conducting UXO (unexploded ordnance) clearance at Mary Hill, which requires selective cutting of understory shrubs and tall vegetation. Most cut vegetation is in wet, low fire risk areas where leafy material will decompose quickly and regrow in spring, with no expected increase in fire hazard. Further vegetation work is planned along the Galloping Goose Trail over the next month, with all activities anticipated to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Work will not impede access to the Galloping Goose.
UXO contractors will be visible working in the northern zones of the property and along a portion of the Galloping Goose Trail during standard working hours. The work should have minimal to no impacts on the public traveling on the Galloping Goose Trail however vehicles and equipment will be stationed along the trail.
CFB Esquimalt is once again reminding the public that unauthorized access to the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited and trespassing is against the law and dangerous. Trespassing is also disrupting the project as contractors must pause work until they can confirm there are no unauthorized persons in the area.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay, adjacent to the William Head Institution. The Royal Canadian Navy has used the property for military training since the 1930s and UXOs that remain onsite present a serious safety risk. The property is currently used by the Canadian Armed Forces and other agencies for a variety of dry training that does not include the use of any type of ammunition. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Only trained professionals can determine if a munition item is dangerous or not; any unknown object could be UXO and should not be touched or investigated. If you see something that looks like it may be UXO:
- Don’t touch it;
- Turn around and leave the area;
Call 911 or local police.
BC Hydro Advises Sooke and Metchosin Residents of Traffic Impacts on Sooke Rd
Starting February 9, 2026, BC Hydro will be doing tree removal along Sooke Rd between Woodruff Rd and Kangaroo Rd - Operational Update from BC Hydro
Monthly Test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System
May 6, 2026 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
The monthly test of CFB Esquimalt’s Mass Notification System will take place on May 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. for approximately one minute.
Residents may hear sirens and verbal messages from speakers mounted on tall poles in Dockyard, Naden and Work Point in Esquimalt. Due to a variety of environmental factors including temperature, humidity and wind direction it may be possible that the sirens will be heard in neighbouring municipalities.
Because CFB Esquimalt covers a large area, this system will be an invaluable tool during an emergency for communicating important information to base employees, contractors and those visiting our facilities.
During the monthly tests, two tones plus a message will be used - the ‘test tone’ (alternating tone), a message in English and French and the ‘all clear’ tone (similar to Westminster chime). Audio files are available on the Maritime Forces Pacific website.
Routine one-minute tests will take place on a monthly basis at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.
Associated Links
https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/our-organization/structure/marpac/lodger-units.html click on MNS tab
www.facebook.com/EsquimaltBase
National Defence- Public Service Announcement
UXO Survey and Remediation near Galloping Goose Trail at Mary Hill Training Area - Metchosin
February 27, 2025 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt is continuing ongoing efforts at Mary Hill to survey and remove historical unexploded explosive ordinance (UXO) to support divestment of the property, reduce safety risks and remove sources of environmental contamination. UXOs are military explosives that did not explode or function as intended.
UXO contractors will be visible working in the northern zones of the property and along a portion of the Galloping Goose Trail. The work should have minimal to no impacts on the public traveling on the Galloping Goose Trail however vehicles and equipment will be stationed along the trail.
CFB Esquimalt is once again reminding the public that unauthorized access to the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited and trespassing is against the law and dangerous. Trespassing disrupts the project as contractors must pause work until they can confirm there are no unauthorized persons in the area.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay, adjacent to the William Head Institution. The Royal Canadian Navy has used the property for military training since the 1930s and UXOs that remain onsite present a serious safety risk. The property is currently used by the Canadian Armed Forces and other agencies for a variety of dry training that does not include the use of any type of ammunition. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Only trained professionals can determine if a munition item is dangerous or not; any unknown object could be UXO and should not be touched or investigated. If you see something that looks like it may be UXO:
- Don’t touch it;
- Turn around and leave the area;
- Call 911 or local police.
Contact
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Phone: 250-363-4006
Email: cfbesquimalt@outlook.com
After Hours: 250-888-6775
Additional Signs Coming to Mary Hill Training Area
February 7, 2024 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
CFB Esquimalt is once again reminding the public that unauthorized access to the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited. Additional signs will be installed in the coming days to further deter trespassing in the area and warn of safety concerns due to the presence of unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO). UXOs are military explosives that did not explode or function as intended.
Members of the public should be aware there is no safe time to access the property and trespassing is against the law and dangerous.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay, adjacent to the William Head Institution. The Royal Canadian Navy has used the property for military training since the 1930s and UXOs that remain onsite present a serious safety risk. The property is currently used by the Canadian Armed Forces and other agencies for a variety of dry training that does not include the use of any type of ammunition. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Only trained professionals can determine if a munition item is dangerous or not; any unknown object could be UXO and should not be touched or investigated. If you see something that looks like it may be UXO:
- Don’t touch it;
- Turn around and leave the area;
Call 911 or local police.
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Safety Reminder for Mary Hill Training Area
October 11, 2022 – Esquimalt, B.C. – Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Navy
CFB Esquimalt is reminding the public that unauthorized entrance into the Mary Hill Training Area is prohibited out of concerns for safety.
The Mary Hill Training Area is located in Metchosin near Pedder Bay and adjacent to the William Head Institution. The property has been used for military training since the 1940s and old military explosives that remain onsite present a serious safety hazard. The area is currently used for a variety of purposes including small arms training and night firing familiarization. These activities may occur day and night, on all days of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Members of the public should be aware there is no safe time to access the area and that trespassing in the area is against the law and dangerous.
The public is also reminded that, in the event stray ammunition or explosive objects are encountered, they should not be touched or disturbed in any way. If such material is encountered, local police should be notified immediately so they can work with CFB Esquimalt to make arrangements for disposal.
Contact
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Public Affairs
Phone: 250-363-4006
Email: cfbesquimalt@outlook.com
After Hours: 250-888-6775