Features
Tackling wildfires: Regrowth and renewal

Wildfires are becoming an ever more frequent threat, and with BC Wildfire Service’s Spring 2024 Seasonal Outlook forecast suggesting a high potential for an active spring wildfire season in British Columbia, the threat of these wildfires looms large. As of mid-May, there already are 118 active wildfires in the province this year, showing an early start to the season. More than 4,700 people in Fort Nelson and the Fort Nelson First Nation were forced to evacuate their homes as of May 13 because of a wildfire spanning approximately 123.5 square kilometres.

Historically, we have seen the devastating impact of damaged homes, livelihoods, habitats, and ecosystems across the country’s most western province. In response, the industry, many local communities and First Nations are proactively working to shape a hopeful future. The strategies are the result of meticulous planning, deep consultation with First Nations, and robust scientific research.

In Williams Lake, Clinton, and Logan Lake, many such forerunners have emerged over the past few years, showing a commitment to not just surviving the threat of wildfire but thriving, enhancing biodiversity, economic stability, and community strength. Canadian Forest Industries visited these communities in May last year to observe their initiatives firsthand.

Williams Lake First Nation protecting habitats, protecting the future
In Williams Lake, the forests surrounding Bond Lake are an excellent example of meticulous care under the guidance of John Walker, RPF, and his team in charge of Forest Stewardship for Williams Lake First Nation.

The wildfire in the summer of 2017, which devastated over 60 properties and led to many evacuations, provided an opportunity to learn how to better protect communities and became the impetus for the extensive wildfire risk reduction work undertaken by the First Nation. Through strategic thinning, Walker and his team are creating conditions that are more resilient to climate change and wildfire and help ensure wildfires stay on the ground, giving firefighters the best chance to knock them down. This reduces the risk of wildfires and creates better habitats more conducive for wildlife, like mule deer, and traditional vegetation to flourish. 

“Strategic thinning can have a big impact on climate change, fire mitigation and biodiversity, especially when it comes to protecting the mule deer habitat,” Walker says as he points to a deer grazing in the community forest. “We are creating old growth conditions by making the forest thinner so trees have more space to grow. Heathier trees are more resilient,” he explains.

Walker further emphasizes that the Nation has three simple yet profound goals: minimize ground fuel, discourage fires from climbing to the treetops, and ensure fires remain low. It’s a strategy First Nations adhere to from years of observation and learning from nature. 

Tŝideldel First Nation’s work in sustaining forests for generations
About 188 kilometres west of Williams Lake is Alexis Creek, known as the Tŝideldel First Nation, part of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, which has been undertaking extensive forest rehabilitation work through its ventures, including Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation (CCR), Tsi Del Del Enterprises, and Tsi Del Del Development Corporation. The rehabilitation work, the Nation says, reflects their strong commitment to sustainable development, community stewardship, and upholding Indigenous values.

CCR, a joint venture between the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox Government, was formed in 2017 to tackle the rehabilitation of 100,000 hectares of dead pine forests in the Chilcotin region. The wildfire that year shifted the organization’s focus to rehabilitating the fire-devastated areas and reforesting through the lens of Indigenous values. CCR wasted no time seeking solutions and applied for funding through the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC). The joint venture has since worked on several wildfire risk reduction projects in and around the community while also partnering with Natural Resources Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program to replant forests and collaborating with Shell Canada on a Carbon Initiative project.

“Using every tree, every branch, at the same time creating jobs; being involved in every aspect of rehabilitation, from surveying, planting trees, creating healthy, strong, resilient communities – there is a connection between healthy forests and communities,” Percy Guichon, CCR executive director and councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation proudly tells CFI.

This spirit of building up the community is reflected through the many ventures of Tŝideldel First Nation, such as the Red Stone Gas Bar, Barney’s Lakeside Resort, Tsi Del Del Enterprises, Redstone Health Clinic, etc. Both Tŝideldel First Nation and Tl’etinqox Government are driven by a deep desire to reclaim their heritage and promote self-sufficiency. They both have undertaken their collaborative joint venture, plus other business ventures, each rooted in the principles of sustainability and community well-being. Their endeavours are not only generating economic prosperity but are also serving as a platform for cultural revival and intergenerational learning.

“The Nation is the constant that gives the sector stability – the companies move, but the Nation stays,” says Philippe Theriault, general manager of Tsi Del Del Enterprises.

Clinton’s holistic response to ensure wildfire risk reduction
In Clinton, the scars of the 2017 wildfire are still visible, as is the community’s resilience. The Clinton Community Forest, 100 per cent owned by the Village of Clinton, started doing wildfire mitigation work in 2007 to address the community’s concerns regarding the constant threat of wildfire and wanted to do something about it. 

Touring with Clinton Community Forest’s general manager Steve Law, Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke, and FESBC’s executive director, Steve Kozuki, there was a palpable pride in how they’ve salvaged burnt fibre and better fortified their community from wildfire. 

After the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire, the community got to work to salvage what they could of the burnt wood. With funding from FESBC, they found ways to use burnt wood, turning it into hog fuel to create green energy. They also created a fuel break – or a wide section without trees – to slow down future fires and help make the routes to fight fires more accessible for crews.

“Our community protection plan is much more than forestry,” asserts Law. “It allows for emergency access, egress and making sure all services are maintained so that first responders can help when needed.” Clinton’s plan is a holistic approach to community safety, blending traditional forest management with proactive preparation.

Logan Lake’s community unites to become FireSmart
In Logan Lake, ensuring the forests were wildfire resilient was not just a community forest goal but something the entire community of 2,000+ residents embraced. It was proof of the municipality’s collective spirit, with residents, local officials, and organizations like the Logan Lake Community Forest (LLCF) working hand in hand to prepare for the future threat of wildfires. Together, they achieved an impressive milestone: making Logan Lake the first FireSmart Community in Canada. Today, the homes and more fire-resistant landscapes show all the signs of a prepared community.

All this FireSmart work was tested in August of 2021 as the Tremont Creek Wildfire moved toward the community, leading to an evacuation order. However, the community’s proactive efforts to ‘FireSmart’ their surroundings paid off, ultimately preventing widespread devastation and loss of structures, saving the town from the potential impacts of the wildfire.

Forest rehabilitation is also a big part of the ecological stewardship underway. When it comes to rehabilitation, collaboration is key. 

“Forsite wrote the prescription for the rehabilitation work, but the local Nation was awarded the contract,” explains Adam Sullivan, RPF, planning forester with Forsite, while pointing to the reseeding measures and rehabilitation of the fireguards being done in the community forest to help promote the regrowth of vegetation.

Much of Logan Lake’s wildfire resiliency has resulted from LLCF’s consistent, proactive work and the community’s buy-in and participation. For the wildfire risk reduction work, LLCF utilized funding support from FESBC and employed the crews from Skeetchestn Natural Resources, who led the charge of clearing dead and downed trees. 

As summer approaches, the experiences of these B.C. communities shine a light on the critical importance of wildfire risk reduction work in communities and the local forests. wThe efforts help better ensure the sustainability and resiliency of more rural communities. Through dedicated leadership and actions, First Nations and local communities are raising the bar, showing how to manage natural landscapes to better protect community assets from the increasing threat of wildfires.

Priyanka Ketkar is a B.C.-based journalist and communications professional working with Amplify Consulting, a Kamloops-based firm working with First Nations, forestry companies, and associations, among others.