The Current Wildfire Crisis

BC has just experienced another record-breaking, devastating wildfire season.

Area burned so far in 2023 exceeds the previous record 2021 fire season which burned 37 million m3
More than $580 million has been spent since Sept 01, 23 fighting fires according to the Vancouver Sun
Hundreds of homes and businesses have burned, thousands of people have been displaced, and many times that have experienced respiratory health issues due to poor air quality
360,000,000 tonnes of carbon were released by the 2017/18 wildfires alone which is the equivalent of 78 million cars according to the EPA

Why are we experiencing record fire losses lately? Main drivers…

Fuel: BC has more dry dead fuel than ever in history, due to:

- Pine Beetle killed forests (dead standing trees)
- Abundance of Underbrush / dead and fallen trees
- Hotter and drier climate conditions

Forest Policy:

- BC does not practice intensive forest practices such as commercial thinning that removes pulp wood and under brush and creates natural fire guards with roads
- Government has reduced the budget for early detection systems like lookout posts; initial fire attack crews have been cut back
- Preservation (30% is now BC's goal) increases the amount of over mature and dead standing trees

Our Performance is dismal vs the competition. A comparison with Finland in 2020.

What can be Done? – Adopt PROVEN Practices of competitive jurisdictions

Create firebreaks around communities by thinning out the bush and timber that fuels wildfire near towns and First Nations communities.
Salvage fire-damaged timber throughout the province. We must cut down these dead trees (that are a safety risk to planting) and replant with new trees to fully achieve “fire smart forest policy.
Expedite the cutting permit issuance process. It is still taking a year or more after a fire to issue these. We must have foresters on the ground the day after the fire is out to plan how to salvage this timber and replant with young, healthy trees.
Establish a fund to incentivize fire proofing around communities and salvaging burned stands. This is low value timber that cannot cover the full costs of harvesting and replanting.