Maclean’s Magazine Story: Building Resiliency Against Wildfires

With wildfires becoming more common across the country, developing resilience and responsiveness is crucial to preserving our forests.

Story created for Forestry for the Future.

Wildfire season has become a fact of life in recent years; every summer, wildfires erupt and threaten ecosystems, communities and our health—and now are further accelerated by climate change and forest fuel buildup.

The recent devastation in Jasper National Park is a solemn reminder of this impact. Now more than ever, we need a “whole of society” approach to a problem we can no longer ignore. Governments, industry, communities and the forest sector must work together to implement sustainable forest management practices; ones that protect the forests and ensure they remain places for future generations to live, work and play in.

By looking at B.C. in particular, where high-intensity wildfires ravaged the landscape last year, the importance of making wildfire resiliency a primary focus becomes clear.

Fire: friend vs foe

Fire is often considered a major threat—and with good reason. The 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive in B.C.’s recorded history with more than 2.84 million hectares of forest and land burned, tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate, hundreds of homes and structures lost or damaged, and an immeasurable impact to local economies.

That said, wildfires have served as an important part of ecosystems for centuries by clearing out the forest floor, creating openings in the forest and regenerating soil and vegetation.

“Wildfire naturally plays across landscapes to keep healthy ecosystems functioning,” says Steve Kozuki, executive director of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC. “Fire, over thousands of years, comes and goes with a certain periodicity. In the semi-dry areas of the interior of British Columbia, it might be as frequent as every 10 or 20 years. Plants and animals come to depend on that fire to maintain their habitats.”

However, in recent decades, wildfire has been prevented from carrying out its critical role in B.C. forests. “When a fire starts, we apply the Smokey Bear mentality—that every fire is evil and needs to be put out,” explains Kozuki. “And we’ve been incredibly successful with that. We have excluded fire from our ecosystems here in B.C. And the result of that very successful fire suppression is a forest that becomes artificially old. I grew up looking at an ocean of continuous green forests, and I always thought it was beautiful. To my shame, I now understand that, in the absence of fire, it was actually degraded and detrimental to a healthy, functioning ecosystem.”

Long-time forestry consultant Bruce Blackwell agrees. “Over the last 100 years, strong wildfire suppression policies meant that more trees have filled in our forest. It’s led to stressors like drought, insects and disease, because we have more trees competing for the same resources. More trees means more fuel, which means fires burn hotter, they get larger and burn more area and they’re more difficult to control. And it’s the heat of those fires that is changing ecosystems such that they can’t recover as easily. They burn off important forest structure—organic matter, nutrients—and in some cases, they’re burning so hot that they’re basically creating sterile soils.”

“Trees and other vegetation have grown in, and biomass has accumulated on the forest floor creating more fuel,” adds Jennifer Gunter, executive director of the B.C. Community Forest Association. “And now we have an increased risk of large high-intensity fires that threaten the safety of communities and the health of our forests. This situation, created by our history of suppressing fire, along with land use and forestry decisions is, of course, made worse by climate change.”

Wildfire resiliency is critical

“A resilient forest is one that can withstand periodic events, like heat stress or very cold or very dry or very wet conditions,” says Kozuki. “Plants and animals have adapted to a certain range, including fire. You can have a disruption, but the ecosystem and everything in it can take a punch and keep on rolling.”

But because many B.C. forests haven’t had low-intensity fires in many decades, the trees have become much older than they would have naturally. “Trees are like people,” says Kozuki. “When they get older, they’re more susceptible to disease and other ailments. Similarly, the trees started growing more closely together and encroaching into natural grasslands, which impacts wildlife habitats.”

And when these overgrown forests catch on fire, especially during drought, “then we have uncontrollable, high-intensity fires, and they burn so hot that it incinerates everything,” he says. “With these mega fires, it’s going to be decades for ecological recovery as well as all the human trauma, and the financial cost of trying to protect those communities is massive.”

Kozuki points to the importance of the FireSmart BC program to help reduce wildfire risks to homes, neighbourhoods, critical infrastructure and natural resources through principles including education, emergency planning and vegetation management. It involves hardening homes and infrastructure against fire by removing fuel from rain gutters full of dried leaves or tree needles and creating a shaded fuel break—usually two kilometres wide—between the forest and a community, thinning the forest in the area so fire can’t jump from tree to tree.

“Fire plays an essential role ecologically and culturally,” affirms Gunter. “But the very large, high-intensity fires that we are seeing can be extremely damaging to communities. The impacts to communities, and to society as a whole, are ecological, social and economic. The effects on community members are physically and emotionally taxing. We see both short-term, and long-term impacts. So, in community forestry, we are extremely motivated to reduce the risk of these sorts of fires.”

Fighting fire with fire

“We’re thinning, we’re removing that fuel to reduce the intensities of fire and we’re doing some prescribed burning, but it’s a very small amount relative to the scale of the problem,” says Blackwell about restoration efforts. “The only way we’re successfully going to make the fire problem go away is that we have to get scale in terms of the treatments, whether that’s prescribed fire, whether that’s thinning or some form of harvesting. There has been a call for increased prescribed burning since the firestorm of 2003 in Kelowna that burned a lot of homes. That’s when it became very apparent that we needed to bring about fire on the landscape.”

Indigenous communities have long used prescribed burning as a practice to rejuvenate the land and the growth of new trees, plants and grasses. That said, prescribed burning is much more complicated now because of the number of people and all the infrastructure that exists. “Hydro utilities, wind farms, businesses like lodges, skiing areas—you can’t just burn those areas, and many of them would be too hazardous to burn without some removal of fuel before you try to burn them,” says Blackwell. “There’s a lot of areas that you can’t just burn without doing some kind of treatment to prepare the site ahead of burning. You can’t think of burning as a quick fix. It’s a long-term program that’s going to have to be done carefully in combination with treatment.”

How else can we make forests more resilient?

When it comes to harvesting and replanting, Natural Resources Canada has said that the rate of projected climate change is expected to be 10 to 100 times faster than the ability of trees to migrate naturally in Canada. By regenerating forests with trees better adapted to warming temperatures and changing climate conditions, foresters work with nature to help forests adapt to a changing climate.

Modern forest management strategies also involve carefully planned harvesting and replanting, which mimic natural growth cycles to minimize the impact of human intervention while mitigating the severity of climate change. And having younger trees to absorb carbon faster than mature ones helps balance forest growth and its capacity to store carbon for future generations.

“We grow the forest in a manner that nature would,” says Kozuki. “It’s often different age classes. It’s just like a human population. You wouldn’t want all of your humans to be between 60 and 100 years old.”

Community forests serve as a successful model for resiliency

Community forests are a unique part of B.C.’s forest tenure system that give forest management rights to communities through local governments, community groups or First Nations. B.C.’s Community Forest Program aims to create multiple benefits through forest management, increasing community participation and promoting innovation. Reducing the risk of wildfire to communities is a top priority.

“We are learning more and more about how forest management can play a key role in both mitigating and adapting to climate change,” says Gunter. “Managing forest fuels around our communities and creating more resilient forests at a landscape scale is urgently needed. It’s not forestry business as usual though; it involves new approaches that really improve the resilience of our forests.”

After coming off another wildfire season, it’s clear that sustainable forest management must go hand in hand with a collective and scaled-up approach to wildfire resiliency.

“By managing forests sustainably, we can create local jobs and economic benefits while working to create healthy forests that are more resilient to wildfire and climate change,” affirms Gunter.

To learn more, visit forestryforthefuture.ca.

Forest Enhancement Society of BC’s Latest Accomplishments Update Highlights Atli Resources LP’s Impact in Helping Reduce Greenhouse Gases

Port McNeill, Alert Bay and Surrounding Communities, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate Solutions Powered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects across throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities. 

One such featured project is Atli Resources LP’s success in sustainable forestry practices through its work in recovering over 700 truckloads of low-value fibre and helping avoid 16,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 3,480 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.  

Photo: Atli Resources LP truck carrying logs of wood for chipping. Photo credit: Atli Resources LP. 

At the heart of this project is the Atli Chip facility in Beaver Cove, where logging waste fibre from remote areas—including Holberg, Port Alice, Woss, and Port McNeill—is collected and chipped to make small pieces of wood. This fibre, which lies outside the economic radius of low-value wood, is now being put to valuable use. The chipped material is then transported to support the operations of Paper Excellence’s pulp mills in Howe Sound and Crofton, demonstrating how innovative approaches can extend the utility of forestry byproducts while reducing environmental impact. 

Chief Victor Isaac of the ‘Namgis First Nation, which owns Atli Resources LP, reflected on the projects’ profound cultural and environmental impact and said, “For generations, our connection to the forest has been fundamental, from the cedar bark used in our traditions and day-to-day life to the trees that support our existence. These forests are not just resources—they are vital to our cultural identity and way of life. FESBC’s funding has been crucial in maintaining this. It’s allowed us to integrate sustainable management practices that respect our heritage while ensuring the forests remain vibrant and productive for future generations. This project doesn’t just benefit us economically through job creation—it helps maintain the health of our lands, which is priceless.” 

The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future. 

FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.” 

The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: Williams Lake First Nation’s leadership in wildfire risk reduction and the BioNorth Energy plant project in Fort St. James, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the Nak’azdli Development Corporation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time. 

To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives being undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca 

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

FESBC’s Latest Accomplishments Update Reveals Williams Lake First Nation Leading the Way in Wildfire Risk Reduction and Green Energy Production

Williams Lake, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate Solutions Powered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities. 

One such featured project is Williams Lake First Nation’s project to mitigate wildfire risk reduction while also contributing to green energy production. The Nation has undertaken a comprehensive wildfire risk reduction project within its traditional territory, addressing one of the most prevalent environmental challenges in the Chilcotin region. However, rather than opting for the conventional practice of burning the wood waste in slash piles after thinning the trees—a method that contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions—the Nation strategically decided to transport this material to local facilities, where it is converted into green energy. This approach has already resulted in helping avoid 490 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to removing over 100 passenger vehicles off the road for a year. 

FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.” 

The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future. 

The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: the BioNorth Energy plant project in Fort St. James, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the Nak’azdli Development Corporation, and Atli Resources LP’s chip plant, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the ‘Namgis First Nation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time. 

To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives being undertaken throughout B.C. with the help of FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca 

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests. 

BioNorth Energy’s Remarkable Impact Highlighted in Forest Enhancement Society of BC’s Accomplishments Update

Fort St. James, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has released a compelling new Accomplishments Update titled “Climate Solutions Powered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers,” showcasing the remarkable achievements of its funded projects throughout the province. These actions on climate change have not only reduced net greenhouse gas emissions but also created economic opportunities for workers. There is now a greater sense of what growing a sustainable bioeconomy can look like in local B.C. communities. 

One project featured in the report is the FESBC-funded project of BioNorth Energy—a joint venture between the Nak’azdli Development Corporation, the Arrow Group of Companies, and Nexus PMG. This collaboration in Fort St. James has successfully diverted logging waste fibre from being burned in slash piles to the biomass energy facility, transforming what was once considered waste into green energy. Last year, about 3,400 truckloads of logging waste were diverted to the BioNorth facility, helping avoid 27,800 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to 6,000 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.  

FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki, said, “We are very proud of the project partners in local areas all around British Columbia who have stepped forward with creative and thoughtful projects which not only utilize more waste wood or reduce wildfire risk but also drive additional benefits. FESBC projects show that there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between the environment or the economy – it can, and should be, a win for both.” 

The Accomplishments Update delves into two other significant initiatives: Williams Lake First Nation’s leadership in wildfire risk reduction and Atli Resources LP’s chip plant, which is processing low-value fibre with the involvement of the ‘Namgis First Nation. These stories highlight how FESBC-funded projects are driving meaningful change by synergistically achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits all at the same time. 

The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future. 

To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca 

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests. 

New Accomplishments Update Highlights the Transformative Impact of FESBC-Funded Projects on Climate Action

New Accomplishments Update Highlights the Transformative Impact of FESBC-Funded Projects on Climate Action

Local Forest Workers in British Columbia Take Significant Steps to Combat Climate Change

Kamloops, B.C. – British Columbia’s forestry sector, in collaboration with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is making significant strides to take action on climate change. To showcase the impacts of the work undertaken by FESBC and its project partners, FESBC has released an accomplishments update titled “Climate Solutions Powered By British Columbia’s Forest Workers.” The update shares how B.C.’s forest workers are helping drive climate change solutions and how, as a result, British Columbia and the world are seeing environmental, social, and economic wins.  

“Our work with our project partners highlights the power of collaboration in taking action on climate change using the powerful nature-based tool of forestry. By turning wood waste into green energy and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires which emit many tonnes of smoke into the air, we are not only helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but creating environmentally sustainable economic opportunities for communities throughout the province,” said FESBC’s Executive Director, Steve Kozuki. “These projects demonstrate that when we work together, we can achieve meaningful and lasting impacts for the environment, for our society, and for our economy.” 

Photo: Steve Kozuki standing against the backdrop of residual fibre, ready for efficient utilization. Photo Credit: Tiffany Christianson Photography/FESBC.

Since FESBC’s inception in 2017 through early 2023, FESBC-funded projects have sequestered 4.2 million tonnes of CO2e—equivalent to removing 904,000 cars from the road for an entire year—while delivering numerous benefits beyond wildfire risk reduction and fibre utilization. This latest Accomplishments Update from FESBC highlights three impactful projects featuring partnerships with BioNorth Energy in Fort St. James, Williams Lake First Nation, and Atli Resources LP on Vancouver Island. It showcases how local forestry workers are working to transform logging waste and low-value fibre into valuable green energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all while supporting local economies and effectively reducing the province’s carbon footprint. 

Reflecting on the Atli Resources LP project’s profound cultural and environmental impacts and why undertaking such projects is important, Chief Victor Isaac of the ‘Namgis First Nation said, “For generations, our connection to the forest has been fundamental, from the cedar bark used in our traditions and day-to-day life to the trees that support our existence. These forests are not just resources—they are vital to our cultural identity and way of life. FESBC’s funding has been crucial in maintaining this. It’s allowed us to integrate sustainable management practices that respect our heritage while ensuring the forests remain vibrant and productive for future generations. This project doesn’t just benefit us economically through job creation—it helps maintain the health of our lands, which is priceless.” 

The Accomplishments Update also provides a broader overview of the societal impact of these initiatives, including an analysis based on the Social Cost of Carbon. This benchmark, used by scientists and economists, measures the effectiveness of activities aimed at reducing carbon emissions. FESBC’s projects have consistently outperformed expectations, proving their efficacy in contributing to a more sustainable future. 

“The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is an important partner in our work supporting the forest sector, leading projects focussed on enhancing recreational values, stand rehabilitation, and supplying fibre to local mills,” said Shane Berg, chief forester and assistant deputy minister for the Office of the Chief Forester. “We also know that prevention is a vital part of protecting communities from wildfires, and the projects supported by FESBC are strong examples of the proactive work we undertake to protect both forests and communities in B.C.” 

To explore the full scope of these and other similar initiatives undertaken throughout B.C. through FESBC funding, visit the website at www.fesbc.ca 

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests. 

Researching Owl Habitat Suitability in Post-Fire Forests in Okanagan Part of $8.5M Conservation Funding

Kamloops, B.C.: The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to announce over $8.5 million in funding for 178 fish and wildlife conservation and conservation stewardship projects across B.C. this year, with more than $1.5M allocated to projects in the Thompson Okanagan region.

Listen to the interview on Radio NL with MSc student researcher Steffani Singh.

Among this year’s projects in the Thompson Okanagan region is a two-year study of how wildfires of different ages affect the distribution of owls in the Okanagan Valley. “Owls help regulate prey populations and are culturally significant to local Indigenous communities. They are threatened by wildfire, which removes forest features needed for breeding and hunting,” says project leader Karen Hodges of the University of British Columbia Okanagan. MSc student Steffani Singh is surveying which owl species are present in post-fire forests and determining where owl nests are and what the owls are eating in these burned landscapes. The project will thus inform the management about what features of burned forests are essential for owls, leading to better habitat conservation. The project is being supported by the HCTF and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), with $66,401 in funding this year.

Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC said, “HCTF has some of the best expertise in wildlife biology and habitat management. That’s why FESBC is so pleased to collaborate with HCTF. Together we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come.”

For over 40 years, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) has provided funding for conservation projects throughout B.C. Projects are led by a range of partners including community groups and rod and gun clubs, environmental non-government organizations, First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and the British Columbia government. Since 1981, the HCTF has funded over 3,800 projects representing an investment of over $232 million for conservation in the province.

Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF, said, “Over the last seven years, FESBC contributed over $4.5M to HCTF to fund wildlife projects in our forests. Our partnership enables project leaders such as UBC to assess the impact of wildfires on wildlife and develop guidance on how to better manage forests for wildlife. Projects such as Dr. Hodge’s work on owls, along with many other wildlife projects, will continue to fill our knowledge gaps to improve habitat for wildlife.”

Other HCTF-funded projects taking place in Thompson Okanagan include:

  • $22,730 to measure how changes in Douglas-fir forests affect mule deer habitat and how to better support the mule deer population in the Bald Mountain range west of Summerland (co-funded by FESBC).
  • $295,500 to rebuild the Mission Creek Spawning Channel intake, ensuring spawning migration access and higher survival rates for juvenile kokanee.
  • $62,750 to restore habitat on approximately 23 km of roads within the Caribou North and Groundhog caribou herds’ range.
  • $93,615 to install a resistivity counter in the Upper Shuswap River to monitor Bull trout migration and provide spawning and movement patterns.
  • $24,906 to build capacity for and understanding of environmental and wildlife initiatives in the Nlaka’pamux Homeland.

Each project funded by HCTF undergoes a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to the final Board review and decision. HCTF’s Board of Directors ensures that species important to B.C. anglers and hunters are supported but also places great importance on conserving whole ecosystems, species-at-risk, and investing in environmental education across the province.

The FESBC-HCTF partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and community benefits. As the two organizations look toward the future, the lessons learned from this partnership will continue to guide efforts in forest and wildlife habitat management.

To read more about these projects, visit www.hctf.ca.  

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

How Prescribed Fire is Helping Enhance Stone’s Sheep Habitat in Northeastern B.C.

How Prescribed Fire is Helping Enhance Stone’s Sheep Habitat in Northeastern B.C.

Project jointly supported by Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and Forest Enhancement Society of BC

British Columbia – In the remote, rugged, Northeastern terrain of B.C., nearly half of the world’s Stone’s sheep habitat can be found. These sheep and the ecosystem surrounding them have been supported through careful forest management practices since the 1970s. One such practice, jointly funded in recent years by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is prescribed burning.

In May 2022, approximately 160 hectares of Stone’s sheep winter habitat were treated with prescribed burning. This initiative targeted four specific slopes (hillsides), utilizing aerial ignition techniques (dropping fire from helicopters) to reduce woody vegetation, enhance forage quality, and improve predator detection capabilities for the sheep. This treatment was part of a broader objective to restore and maintain habitat not only for Stone’s sheep but, in future project years, also for bighorn sheep, which inhabit the southernmost extent of the region.

“Prescribed fire is a long-standing management practice to restore important foraging habitats for wild sheep and many other species such as moose, elk and mule deer. HCTF is proud to co-fund this work with FESBC so that our project leader can complete this critical work to benefit Stone’s sheep in the Peace Region,” remarks Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “It’s a great project involving a wide variety of partners generating benefits well beyond wildlife to improve the broader forest ecosystem and create a better patchwork of grasslands and different aged forest stands over the landscape.” Viewed from above, the patches appear to be irregular in size, shape, and distribution. This is what natural landscapes often look like when fire is allowed.

In May 2024, before the summer season of wildfires experienced throughout the province, Ridgeline Wildlife Enhancement Inc., on behalf of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, worked on the project to undertake two prescribed burns. They successfully enhanced over 600 hectares or 1,400 acres of Stone’s sheep habitat using prescribed burning treatments. The resulting post-burn habitat will improve forage (food for sheep) quality and reduce dense shrub cover (so the sheep can see predators from a distance).

“The funds provided by HCTF and FESBC result in a direct, on-the-ground, immediate benefit to Stone’s sheep and their habitat,” explained Alicia Woods, a wildlife biologist with Ridgeline Wildlife Enhancement. “Within 10 days post-burn, new vegetation was visible on-site, and by eight weeks post-burn, the site was beginning to revegetate with new forage. We often see sheep move into a burned area within a few weeks to graze on the new growth. Funding for prescribed burning projects also contributes to landscape-level ecosystem restoration, reducing fuel loads, and includes benefits to other species that rely on sub-alpine grasslands.”

While the primary objective focused on strategically removing of brush and old vegetation to promote the growth of new, nutrient-rich vegetation, Woods emphasized the prescribed burns’ dual benefits, both for habitat management and as a proactive measure against uncontrolled wildfires. “By reducing the fuel load through controlled burns, we not only helped improve habitat quality but also helped mitigate the risk of severe wildfires,” she said.

An interesting objective of this project is that Woods’ team also focuses on studying and researching the impact of prescribed burns on sheep health and their habitat.

“In addition to the on-the-ground habitat benefits, funding contributed by HCTF and FESBC support a research component of the project that includes an assessment of wildlife and vegetation response to prescribed burns. In partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia, PhD students will further investigate how the habitat treated with fire may affect Stone’s sheep health. In a region that supports 50 per cent of the global population of Stone’s sheep, the enhancement of sheep habitat through this prescribed burn program has substantial benefits to this iconic species,” said Woods.

A novel aspect of the project focuses on the indirect assessment of sheep health by analyzing pellet samples for stress hormones and nutritional status indicators. This method offers a non-invasive way to gauge the potential health benefits of the burns to the sheep.

“As professional foresters making forest management decisions, we are often asked to manage multiple resources and values. The partnership between HCTF and FESBC provides funds to help research, investigate and find solutions in an ever-changing forest landscape on forest stewardship, specifically focused on wildlife and associated ecosystems and habitats,” said Tyler Field, Registered Forest Professional, operations manager with FESBC. “This year, for example, we are jointly funding several long-term projects that look at the effects of wildfire on certain wildlife species, which could help forest professionals make decisions in the future on using fire as a forest management tool in cultural and prescribed burns.”

While in the past couple of years, the project leaders have seen success, they have faced several challenges to get to this point:

  1. The logistics of such an extensive project, especially for reaching remote areas, are extremely difficult. For example, one helicopter trip to the more remote study areas costs roughly $6,000, and the project team needs to visit the sites for monitoring at least four times a year. That is why, apart from the HCTF and FESBC support, the project has additional support from the Wild Sheep Society of BC, Wild Sheep Foundation, North Peace Rod & Gun Club, and the University of Northern BC.
  2. Obtaining necessary government permits is a lengthy and complex process Woods shared, often taking years to navigate through bureaucratic layers. The project has submitted 25 burn permit applications and notably secured 14 burn permits, of which they have already treated six areas.
  3. Even after burn permits are secured, it isn’t as straightforward as implementing the burns.  “Spring prescribed burns occur in a narrow window that happens sometime between when the slopes become snow-free and before the site greens up.  Sometimes, this window can be as narrow as one week,” explained Woods. The narrow window for suitable burning conditions requires precise timing and flexibility, and the unpredictable weather patterns of recent years and increasing dry periods due to climate change have complicated scheduling and increased the risk of unintended fire escapes from the target burn area.
  4. For Woods, it is important for the public to be aware of the differences between wildfires and prescribed burns and learn why these burns are essential for maintaining ecological balance. “Prescribed burns are done in a very controlled fashion. There are very specific targets with very specific objectives. How we do it, and the conditions we do it under, are also carefully chosen,” said Woods. “The devastation of wildfires we see on the news is not how a prescribed burn site looks; after a prescribed burn the site flourishes with new vegetation.”

Woods also wants people to understand that controlled burns have always been an integral part of Indigenous practices and culture.

“The support and involvement of local First Nations, such as Fort Nelson First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, and communities in the Kaska and Kwadacha traditional areas is not just beneficial but essential. They bring a perspective that enriches our understanding and approach,” said Woods, adding, “What they tell us about burning is also what we see, which is exciting because it confirms what I see on the ground. We conduct the burns similarly to how the First Nations used to do it – during the spring when the frost is still in the ground, so the burn doesn’t harm the soils – as a tool of controlled burning for the benefit of enhancing wildlife habitat and improving the ecological balance in the area.”

The project has become a leading example of how integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge with contemporary scientific practices can lead to more effective and sustainable forest management. Next, the project plans to expand the treated areas, aiming to cover between 500 to 1,000 hectares annually across multiple study areas.

“Our goal is to establish a cycle of burns that continuously rejuvenates the habitat,” she explained. “Ideally, we’re looking to manage these lands in a way that maintains ecosystem diversity across the landscape, which will, in turn, support the wildlife the northeast is renowned for.” 

Through the dedicated efforts of Woods and her team, the prescribed burning projects in Northeastern B.C. demonstrate that thoughtful, well-managed fire regimes can profoundly benefit wildlife and ecosystems.

To read more about these projects, visit www.hctf.ca.  

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

FESBC Hosts Tour of Forest Enhancement Projects in Thompson Nicola Region

Kamloops, B.C. – On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) organized a tour of their funded forest enhancement projects in the Thompson Nicola region. The event, which offered a glimpse into the impactful work being done to improve forest health and resilience, was attended by FESBC’s Board of Directors, members from the forestry industry, project proponents, and local community leaders.

Highlights from the Tour

The tour provided a full-circle experience, showcasing the journey from wildfire devastation to forest recovery and utilization of “waste” wood or residual fibre:

  • Wildfire Risk Reduction in Merritt
    Participants visited a completed wildfire risk reduction treatment and learned about the ongoing efforts from Don Gossoo, RFT, General Manager of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation.
  • Logan Lake Wildfire Treatment
    The group examined a site where work was underway to reduce wildfire threats, implemented by the Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) Development Corporation, and discussed its effectiveness with Adam Sullivan, RPF, Planning Forester and Fuel Management Specialist, Forsite and Ernie McIvor, Crew Boss, LNIB.

The group then visited an area in the Logan Lake Community Forest that had been heavily affected by the 2021 Tremont Creek Wildfire. This area used to be a dry fir forest that had experienced 200 years without any fires due to fire suppression efforts. Lindsay Hill, a Wildfire Management Specialist from Forsite, talked about the efforts to salvage and recover the area after the wildfire.

  • Wood Waste Utilization
    Attendees next learned about the processes and challenges involved in transporting and processing wood fibre waste, as well as various uses of wood waste, including biomass generation, creation of cardboard boxes, paper products, etc., from experts Greg Kilba of Arrow Transportation and Kevin Gayfer of River City Fibre/Arrow Transportation.
Watch the Video of the FESBC Forestry Tour

The tour highlighted the collaborative efforts between FESBC and its many local project partners, emphasizing the significant progress and positive outcomes achieved through these initiatives. It helped illustrate the journey from the aftermath of wildfires to the proactive steps taken on the ground and, finally, to the innovative use of forest by-products.

We invite you to explore the photos and videos from the tour, highlighting some ‘before’ and ‘after’ scenes of work done and the people working hard on these forest enhancement projects in the Thompson Nicola region.

To view all photos from the tour, visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=a.122174492246194513&type=3

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

Celebrating A Legacy of Forest Enhancement and Wildlife Conservation Through Partnership

Victoria, B.C. – The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. (FESBC) are celebrating a remarkable partnership that has helped enhance wildlife habitat throughout British Columbia. Since 2017, the collaborative partnership has supported 117 wildlife habitat enhancement projects, and as the partnership enters its final years of co-funding projects, the impact of the combined efforts will continue to resonate for years to come.

“British Columbia is the most biodiverse province in Canada. Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are not only essential for our health, but also protect the environment, support our economy, and create strong communities,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Thanks to the excellent work done by the Forest Enhancement Society and Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation enhancement and restoration of our valuable provincial habitats is a promise we can deliver to our children and future generations.”

In 2016, FESBC was established with one of its key purposes to help improve wildlife habitat within B.C.’s forests. Recognizing the nearly four decades of expertise and proven track record of HCTF in terrestrial ecosystem and biology management, it became clear that a collaborative partnership was the way to help achieve this purpose. HCTF has exceptional expertise and funding administration capabilities, plus established systems for project solicitation, evaluation, and adjudication.

FESBC Executive Director Steve Kozuki said “HCTF has done an outstanding job of connecting with local habitat experts around the province to do the work that needs to be done in order to provide the biggest benefits for wildlife. As pressures on wildlife continue to increase, this work is more important than ever.”

Projects funded through this partnership have not only focused on forest health and evaluating the habitat and wildlife response to fire but also on creating better conditions for wildlife. For example, a multi-year prescribed burn program to restore and enhance Stone’s Sheep habitat by increasing the quantity and quality of forage and reducing the tree density of the forest to allow easier traverse between forage areas. These improvements have also led to increased forest recreation opportunities for people and healthier, more resilient ecosystems that can better withstand diseases, insects, and climate change.

“For over seven years, the HCTF and FESBC partnership has funded forestry-focused conservation work in B.C. and is a testament to the power of collaboration with our grant recipients who lead a diversity of projects supporting multiple values,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF. “The projects funded through this initiative over the last several years have yielded incredible outcomes, not only for forest ecosystems but a wide range of wildlife and many B.C. communities.”

This year nine projects are receiving funds through the FESBC and HCTF partnership, including:

  • $71,036 for the protection of bat colonies in the Lower Mainland from white-nose syndrome.
  • $48,795 for protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat on Salt Spring Island.
  • $66,401 to evaluate how wildfires affect owls in the Thompson-Okanagan region.
  • $149,775 to enhance and restore wild sheep habitat in the Peace region through prescribed fire.
  • $81,170 to identify the effects of landscape change on moose health and forestry management in central B.C. through field surveys and lab analysis.
  • $30,480 for stewardship and restoration work of riparian black cottonwood forests of the Kettle River Watershed in the Boundary region, a rare ecosystem with several species at risk.

The FESBC-HCTF partnership exemplifies how collaborative efforts can lead to significant environmental and community benefits. As the two organizations look toward the future, the lessons learned from this partnership will continue to guide efforts in forest and wildlife habitat management.

To read more about these projects, visit www.hctf.ca.  

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

City of Kimberley Advances Wildfire Risk Reduction with Support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC

Kimberley, B.C. – The City of Kimberley, with funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), is making significant strides in wildfire risk reduction through a targeted project in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) southwest of the community. This initiative, important to help better protect the community, the wildlife habitats and community infrastructure, including City and public assets such as power and water infrastructure, municipal buildings, schools, etc., began in the summer of 2023, and the City’s efforts on the project are ongoing.

“Protecting, people, communities and forests from the threat of worsening wildfires caused by climate change is something our government takes seriously,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “In partnership with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), we are funding wildfire risk reduction projects that reduce fuels in forests near communities. These projects not only help slow or stop the spread of fires, but greatly increase the success of fire suppression efforts by BC Wildfire Service crews on the ground.”

In the summer of 2023, the City began work on its wildfire risk reduction project on 102 hectares of land in the WUI—the area where houses and other buildings are close to, or mixed with, natural areas like forests or grasslands—southwest of Kimberley. This area, identified over 15 years ago as needing treatment, was deprioritized until it was established as Williamson’s sapsucker habitat. The forest area provides essential living conditions for the Williamson’s sapsucker, a species of woodpeckers important for biodiversity and forest ecosystem health. With FESBC’s support, the City could address this high-risk area, a known corridor for the flow of fire, and work toward effectively reducing the potential for more severe wildfires.

Bob Gray, an AFE-Certified Wildland Fire Ecologist and Fire Scientist with the City said, “The support of FESBC is significant in helping the City meet its wildfire risk reduction and maintenance objectives. Specifically, the FESBC funds, due to the scale of funding, have been instrumental in tackling an area of extreme hazard in what has been historically known as a dominant fire flow corridor. Without FESBC funding, the City would not be able to treat at the scale necessary to make a difference to fire size and severity.”

Given the difficult terrain, the treatments are being carried out manually (by people instead of machines), focused on thinning the forest to create gaps between the trees, cutting low-hanging branches, and reducing the amount of woody fuel through pile burning during appropriate burning conditions. The project is expected to be completed by the winter of 2024. This methodical approach will restore natural ecological health while effectively managing wildfire risks. Indeed, the two objectives go hand-in-hand with numerous other benefits.

Brian Watson, operations manager with FESBC said, “FESBC acknowledges the City of Kimberley as a leader in interface management. Funding this project aligns well with our purposes; by thinning the forests, we are creating a more fire-resilient stand while at the same time restoring favourable conditions for the Williamson’s sapsucker. FESBC’s investment will tie into the greater strategic WRR plan for the city and of the Rocky Mountain Resource District which is active, through their WRR program, in areas adjacent to the Municipal lands.”

Clearly, the City’s strategic and proactive approach also involves major ecological considerations for the wildfire risk reduction work as well as considering wildlife habitat. The City has already developed a guidebook through funding from the Columbia Basin Trust on how to balance wildfire risk reduction with wildlife habitat management. This guide was a joint effort between fire ecologists and wildlife biologists and this FESBC-funded project is one of the case studies referenced in the guidebook.

“The team of biologists we work with collaborates closely with fire management experts and foresters to carefully plan our actions. We begin by setting clear goals based on what we know about fire behaviour and its effects on the environment. Then, we repeatedly test and adjust our strategies to find the best solutions that not only reduce the risk of wildfires but also protect wildlife habitat. Throughout this project, we’ve successfully found ways to meet both fire safety and environmental conservation goals without compromising one for the other,” said Gray.

In Kimberley’s wildfire risk reduction efforts, the choice between chipping and mastication – the process of mechanically grinding or shredding vegetation to reduce fuel loads and manage forest undergrowth – or burning is influenced by several factors, and while the City has employed both methods in the past, this particular project is heavily favouring planned and prescribed burns over chipping. The significant biomass in the project, exceeding 80 metric tonnes per hectare, is challenging to manage through chipping and mastication alone due to the slow decomposition rates of the woody fibre left after the work and the predicted magnitude of the fuel that would be spread on the forest floor post-treatment. The buildup can become a fire hazard itself. Historically, local ecosystems have adapted to fire as the primary method of wood decomposition, making burning a natural fit. Burning mimics these natural processes, effectively reducing fuel loads and preventing the high-intensity fires that can result from chipped material smouldering during wildfires. This method, according to Gray, is not only supported by the scientific community but is also considered a success for the City in better protecting the community by reducing its future wildfire risk.

Don McCormick, Mayor of the City of Kimberley, explained how long the City has been involved in the wildfire risk reduction work and the importance of FESBC funding. “Kimberley has made wildfire mitigation a priority since 2006, maximizing grants to get as much work done as possible. Efforts intensified in 2018 after the community was on evacuation alert for three weeks. As wildfire risk has increased, getting enough money to make a difference has been more difficult. The funding from FESBC allowed us to get more done with economies of scale [more efficiently], employ more people longer, and build capacity for future efforts. We could not have done any of this without FESBC’s funding support. It has made our community a safer place.”

The City of Kimberley continues to build upon its wildfire risk reduction work and drafted a five-year landscape fire risk and impact reduction plan to identify logical treatment areas and required budgets to do the work. The plan will be forwarded to BC Wildfire Service shortly. The City will further benefit from a large-scale fire risk and impacts assessment being conducted by the First Nations Emergency Services Society of BC (an arm of the BC First Nations Forestry Council) and the local Ktunaxa Nation.

“Wildfire risk reduction is critical if we are going to have any hope of reducing the area burned and the negative consequences of fire,” noted Gray. “The best form of wildfire mitigation is taking steps to reduce wildfire risk. It works, but it has to be scaled up.”

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

FESBC Welcomes Applications for Wildfire Risk Reduction and Enhanced Fibre Utilization Project Funding

Kamloops, B.C. – The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) continues to accept applications to fund forest enhancement projects, year-round. In the Provincial Government’s Budget 2024, FESBC was entrusted with $60 million in funding; $20 million to be allocated each year over the next three years. Projects to receive funding are those whose primary goal is wildfire risk reduction, enhanced wood fibre utilization, or both, while also achieving additional benefits such as wildlife habitat enhancement, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from utilizing wood fibre, improving recreational opportunities, and rehabilitating forests.

“Forests are at the heart of our identity in B.C., and we are all responsible for ensuring their future,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has played a pivotal role in our work to support a strong and sustainable forest sector. FESBC is supporting projects that focus on better fibre utilization and wildfire risk reduction, helping to slow or stop the spread of wildfires by removing fuel from forests and also getting more fibre into the hands of the forestry sector. This provides jobs, keeps businesses running, and builds thriving families and communities across B.C.”

The funding will help local people who are interested in doing thoughtful forest enhancement work in their local communities. These initiatives have been crucial and have led to significant economic, environmental, and social benefits in communities through the 300+ projects FESBC has funded since its inception in 2016.

“This new funding will allow us to support more forest enhancement projects in the coming years, reinforcing the critical importance of proactive efforts to mitigate wildfire risk and to enhance the utilization of waste wood fibre, which British Columbians are asking for,” said Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC. “We are delighted to support First Nations, communities, workers, wildlife and the environment throughout British Columbia”.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, allowing FESBC to respond swiftly to emerging needs and opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to visit the FESBC website at www.fesbc.ca/applying-for-funding/ to view eligibility criteria and access application guides, the application portal, and register for an online information session hosted at 9am June 25, 2024. A recording of the session will be made available.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE WEBINAR

“We invite all eligible organizations to take advantage of this funding,” said Kozuki. “By investing today, we are giving the hard-working women and men in the forestry sector the opportunity to do good work in their communities for the benefit of us all. We especially want to encourage innovators, new businesses, and First Nations who want to do great forestry projects to apply.”

FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC featured in the latest issue of the Canadian Forest Industries Magazine

Quite often, the creation of community fuel breaks to reduce wildfire risks also achieves multiple synergistic benefits such as improved wildlife habitat (more seed and berries that benefits the whole food chain), increased recreational opportunities, greenhouse gas reductions, economic activity, better aesthetic viewscapes, and healthier forests that are more resilient to disease, insects, extreme weather, and future climate change.

The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is delighted to have a number of FESBC-funded project partners featured in the latest issue of Canadian Forest Industries (CFI) Magazine profiling their work to reduce the risk of wildfires to communities across British Columbia.

FESBC has funded wildfire risk reduction projects in over 120 communities across British Columbia, including Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. and the Logan Lake Community Forest. Local people have been empowered to do good forest management work to help better protect their communities from wildfire. Similarly, learn how the Clinton Community Forest utilized funding from FESBC to salvage burnt wood, using the hog fuel to generate green energy while also creating a fuel break – a large area where woody fuels have been reduced – to slow down future fires and create defensible spaces for fire fighters.

To read the complete article about the exceptional projects FESBC has helped fund in collaboration with First Nations and local communities, visit this link: https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=853&i=823386&p=1&ver=html5