Wildfire reduction and forest health projects underway in northern B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The Government of British Columbia is investing $25 million in reducing community wildfire risk and enhancing forest health in northern B.C.

Through the investment the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) has funded 22 new community projects including one in the Omineca region and one in the Skeena region to “reduce wildfire risk, while enhancing wildlife habitat, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from slash pile burning, and support forest recreation and ecological resiliency,” a provincial ministry of forests release said.

Wildfire mitigation projects in the two regions include $3 million for the Chinook Community Forest to reduce fuel loading in areas impacted by the mountain pine beetle, and over $1.4 million for wildfire risk-reduction treatments in the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest along Highway 99, to create a safer egress corridor on the main road to and from Mackenzie.

All projects are expected to be complete by March 2024 and to date approved funding from the FESBC 2022-23 Funding Program totals $14 million. Additional applications through the FESBC portal will be accepted until the $25 million in funding has been allocated, the release stated.