Chatter about the existence and removal of secret saunas has travelled far and wide through the Squamish community.
According to a public affairs officer with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, government officials are aware of saunas that "were set up by local residents” in the area of the Mamquam River.
"Trespass notices were put in place by the ministry to investigate the removal of these public safety hazards.," the spokesperson said.
Two saunas have since been removed—likely by the sauna owners.
"Numerous people have been hurt or needed rescue trying to access the sites, including a very recent fatality," said the spokesperson.
"Squamish Search and Rescue has raised concerns about these saunas, which led to Ministry of Forests' Natural Resource officers investigating the situation."
Various rescue efforts, as previously reported by The Squamish Chief, have occurred on the Mamquam River, including a woman in her 30s who was reportedly swept away in March.
Several people who have posted publicly about the saunas and their removal did not return The Squamish Chief’s requests for information and comment.
