B.C. proposes changes to protect forests, increase prescribed burns

B.C. is proposing changes to better care for the province’s forests in the face of extreme weather events, which have become increasing likely due to climate change.

If passed, the amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Forest Act, and the Wildfire Act will help address the public and First Nations’ interests into how B.C’s forests are managed, the province states.

According to the province, B.C. is home to about 13 million hectares of old growth forest, but some experts say only three per cent of that forest supports large, productive, old trees. Since 2021, B.C. says it has protected 2.4 million hectares of old growth forests in Vancouver. Prior to 2021, it had protected an additional 3.5 million hectares.

The proposed changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act will give government new tools to manage Crown land timber harvesting. First Nations could also see a strengthening of the protection of their values and interests, through a greater range of contravention penalties.

“Protecting the natural resources of this land is vitally important, and those who damage these natural resources should face consequences,” said Lennard Joe, CEO of the B.C. First Nations Forestry Council. “Strengthening the enforcement of these laws will increase the public’s trust by ensuring there are real penalties for those who break the rules.”

To the Wildfire Act, amendments will be made to give prescribed burns legal standing as a forest management tool in B.C. and allow the provincial government to work with First Nations on these burns when requested.

“Prescribed burning is the planned and controlled application of fire to a specific land area to reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystems that need fire to function,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “This change will make it easier for the Province to work with First Nations as partners to return beneficial fire to the landscape as a way to keep communities safe and care for critical ecosystems.”

The province says fire is a natural process in many B.C. ecosystems and using it during cooler weather can help reduce the risk of severe wildfire events during B.C.’s hottest months.

“First Nations communities in British Columbia have long depended on fire to steward the land,” said Wayne Schnitzler, executive director, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society.
“Revitalizing the use of fire magnifies the relationship each First Nation community has with it from a cultural, ceremonial, food and healing perspective.”

These changes are part of the provincial government’s work to achieve its commitments outlined in the 2021 Modernizing Forest Policy in B.C. intentions paper.