B.C. Wildfire Response: Logging and Reforestation Under Scrutiny

British Columbia's government is implementing a logging strategy as part of its response to record wildfires that burned over 12,000 square kilometers in 2017. The Ministry of Forests plans to log forests containing dead trees to reduce wildfire risk, projecting an addition of 500,000 cubic meters of timber to market.

However, studies indicate that younger, densely planted forests are more prone to severe fires. Research shows logged areas are almost twice as likely to burn compared to older, unlogged forests. Experts argue that logging does not mitigate fire risk and can lead to ecological degradation, emphasizing the need for increased protection of older forests to sustain biodiversity and carbon storage.