forestry

FILE – Smoke rises from the Babine Forest Products mill in Burns Lake, B.C. Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

BAINS: Worker protections remain key 10 years after fatal northern B.C. sawmill explosions

Four workers died in two separate explosions at sawmills near Burns Lake and Prince George in 2012

  • Jan 19, 2022
FILE – Smoke rises from the Babine Forest Products mill in Burns Lake, B.C. Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A truckload of B.C. lumber heads to the United States, which has imposed steep border duties on standard construction lumber that is in short supply as timber cutting restrictions increase. (Resource Works Society)

B.C.’s value-added forest industry pleads for old-growth wood

‘We’re talking months until we’re running out’

A truckload of B.C. lumber heads to the United States, which has imposed steep border duties on standard construction lumber that is in short supply as timber cutting restrictions increase. (Resource Works Society)
RBC Dominion Securities analyst Paul Quinn, Truck Loggers Association executive director Bob Brash and consultant Russ Taylor speak to delegates at the association’s virtual convention, Jan. 12, 2022. (TLA video)

Forest industry analysts paint grim picture for B.C. investment future

Old growth restrictions threaten value added, truck loggers told

RBC Dominion Securities analyst Paul Quinn, Truck Loggers Association executive director Bob Brash and consultant Russ Taylor speak to delegates at the association’s virtual convention, Jan. 12, 2022. (TLA video)
The 200 hectare Mabel Creek wildfire continues to burn approximately 6 kilometres from Mabel Lake on the Lumby side. While an evacuation alert has been issued for approximately 50 cabins and the Cottonwood Beach recreation site, no structures are currently threatened. (Jennifer Smith/Morning Star)

Vernon logging company ‘could have done more’ to prevent landslides, watchdog says

Tolko met all legal requirements, but four landslides followed company’s harvesting in Silver Hills area

The 200 hectare Mabel Creek wildfire continues to burn approximately 6 kilometres from Mabel Lake on the Lumby side. While an evacuation alert has been issued for approximately 50 cabins and the Cottonwood Beach recreation site, no structures are currently threatened. (Jennifer Smith/Morning Star)
Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)

B.C. old-growth forest preservation plan off to a slow start for 2022

Canfor buys Alberta sawmills, sends harsh message to NDP

Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)
Much of B.C.’s tree planting program so far has been replacing harvested trees, which minimizes the albedo effect. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. expected to dodge emerging climate change problem tied to tree planting

Trees combat climate change, but can also lead to the warming albedo effect

Much of B.C.’s tree planting program so far has been replacing harvested trees, which minimizes the albedo effect. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon, who previously worked with the B.C Government on developing land-use plans beyond logging, speaks about the importance of revenue options for First Nations on Tuesday at the legislature. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

B.C. ancient forest advocates call on province to fund alternative revenue streams

$300M required to help First Nations, other forest-dependent communities to transition

Forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon, who previously worked with the B.C Government on developing land-use plans beyond logging, speaks about the importance of revenue options for First Nations on Tuesday at the legislature. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The British Columbia government says it is finalizing plans with First Nations that have indicated support for plans to defer logging in certain old-growth forests, while it continues talks with nations that need more time to decide.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. hears from 161 First Nations on plans for old-growth logging deferrals

Nearly three-quarters of those responding indicated they need more time

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. The British Columbia government says it is finalizing plans with First Nations that have indicated support for plans to defer logging in certain old-growth forests, while it continues talks with nations that need more time to decide.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

B.C. loggers rally to protest government deferral plan for old-growth logging

Forestry workers, families mass in Port Alberni to speak out about move’s far-reaching effects

Brad Cyr is a third-generation logger from Port Hardy who began working a union job as a grapple yarder in Port Alberni in December. He brought his concerns and a freshly cut slice from a stump to the ‘Stand Up for Forestry’ rally on Johnston Road Dec. 9, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Elders for old growth arrested as Fairy Creek blockade readies for winter

As cold weather arrives, the number of people in the two remaining camps has dwindled

Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Dr. Rachel Holt at a Dec. 1 video press conference on old growth forests held by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Photo: Video screenshot, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

Nelson ecologist questions B.C.’s roll-out of old growth strategy

Rachel Holt was part of a technical panel that mapped old growth

Dr. Rachel Holt at a Dec. 1 video press conference on old growth forests held by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Photo: Video screenshot, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs
The B.C. government and B.C. Timber Sales have pulled three more cutblocks from its plans north of Revelstoke at Argonaut Creek. (Contributed)

Cutblocks taken off plan north of Revelstoke

Total of 14 now taken off plan to help at-risk North Columbia caribou herd

The B.C. government and B.C. Timber Sales have pulled three more cutblocks from its plans north of Revelstoke at Argonaut Creek. (Contributed)
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was among those speaking against provincial policy on old growth forests at a press conference Dec. 1. (Canadian Press photo)

B.C. government falling short with old-growth forest protection, say Indigenous leaders

30-day limit to respond to old growth deferral inadequate, says grand chief and union

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was among those speaking against provincial policy on old growth forests at a press conference Dec. 1. (Canadian Press photo)
Postcard image of Powell River B.C. from the 1960s, when it was one of the world’s largest newsprint producers. (Wikimedia Commons)

Owners look for new industrial opportunities at B.C. paper mill site

Powell River mill shutting down indefinitely after 109 years

Postcard image of Powell River B.C. from the 1960s, when it was one of the world’s largest newsprint producers. (Wikimedia Commons)
Salmon Arm’s Mt. Ida Nursery commercial tree seedling nursery that grows seedlings for BC Timber Sales, private forest companies and woodlots. (Mt. Ida Nursery photo)

Old growth harvest deferrals create stress, uncertainty for Salmon Arm tree nursery

Province criticized for lack of consultation with First Nations, forest industry stakeholders

Salmon Arm’s Mt. Ida Nursery commercial tree seedling nursery that grows seedlings for BC Timber Sales, private forest companies and woodlots. (Mt. Ida Nursery photo)
Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)

Quesnel pulp mill to shut down due to flooding and transportation issues

Around 220 employees have been temporarily laid off at two West Fraser pulp mills

Cariboo Pulp and Paper in Quesnel will be shut down for the next 16 days due to a lack of pulp supply. (West Fraser Photo)
Leah Evans at the base of a tree in Frisby Ridge. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

Ecologist concerned about Revelstoke forests despite expanded logging deferrals

Measurements of old growth trees here differ from the coast-Rosanna Wijenberg

Leah Evans at the base of a tree in Frisby Ridge. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy is leading an overhaul of the B.C.’s Crown forest management. (Hansard TV)

B.C.’s sweeping forest changes pushed through over MLA objections

Business leaders protest potential mill, value added job losses

B.C. Forests Minister Katrine Conroy is leading an overhaul of the B.C.’s Crown forest management. (Hansard TV)
A mini skidder is used to remove trees damaged by the Douglas-fir beetle from the Malibu trails area in South Canoe on March 6, 2020. (Shuswap Trail Alliance photo)

Trees in Lumby to be felled due to presence of Douglas-fir beetle

The Vernon School District holds the affected woodlot; Tolko will harvest the trees before end of February

A mini skidder is used to remove trees damaged by the Douglas-fir beetle from the Malibu trails area in South Canoe on March 6, 2020. (Shuswap Trail Alliance photo)
B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks by video link to the annual Council of Forest Industries convention, April 8, 2021. (COFI video)

Timber buy-back, redistribution in latest B.C. forest overhaul

New rules to audit, enforce payment for log exports

B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks by video link to the annual Council of Forest Industries convention, April 8, 2021. (COFI video)