Cariboo Region, B.C. – On April 24, 2025, Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, shared details on newly funded forest enhancement projects throughout the province at the BC First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) Conference in Penticton. The announcement highlighted 64 projects receiving investments from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) for wood waste utilization and wildfire risk reduction, 18 of which will occur in the Cariboo Region.
These newly funded projects represent nearly $20 million in investments, with over $5 million allocated to projects in the Cariboo Region that will either boost fibre supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing uneconomic wood waste or reduce wildfire risk to better protect communities and important infrastructure. Many projects have additional benefits, such as taking action on climate change and enhancing wildlife habitat, and will help create or sustain good, family-supporting jobs.
“We received so many excellent applications from interested parties across the province looking to invest in the future of B.C.’s forests,” shared Jason Fisher, Executive Director of FESBC. “After careful review, we are pleased to be able to support a portfolio of projects that will make forests more resilient and communities safer, while unlocking the value of wood waste generated through forest management activities.”
In total, wood waste utilization projects in the Cariboo Region are anticipated to utilize over 68,000 cubic metres of fibre, equivalent to 1,400+ truckloads, which will enable 13,900 tonnes of avoided emissions (tonnes of CO2e) from utilizing wood waste instead of burning it. Wildfire risk reduction projects in the Cariboo Region will allow for the treatment of 670 hectares of forest and prescriptions, or planning, for future wildfire risk reduction work in 772 hectares.
Wood Waste Utilization Projects
- Wood Waste Grinding: Celtic and El Dorado will receive funding to grind and transport wood waste fibre near Williams Lake to local energy facilities.
- Wood Fibre Utilization: Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. will receive funding to implement fire salvage rehabilitation work on forested stands impacted by the 2017 wildfires near Williams Lake. Salvaged wood fibre will be chipped on site and delivered to pulp mills in the Cariboo.
- Wood Waste Recovery: Williams Lake First Nation will receive funding to utilize wood waste material from cutting permits close to Williams Lake. The fibre will be delivered to pulp mills in the Cariboo.
- Wood Waste Recovery: Yun Ka Whut’en Forestry Ltd. will receive funding to utilize wood waste fibre near Anahim Lake that would otherwise be burned, transporting it instead to pulp mills in the Cariboo.
Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects
- Stand Resiliency Practices: Clinton and Area Community Forest will receive funding to implement mechanical (machine) treatments in overcrowded Douglas-fir stands near Clinton.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Williams Lake First Nation will receive funding to complete thinning treatments in forested areas that are adjacent to homes near 150 Mile House.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Eniyud Community Forest will receive funding to carry out thinning treatments adjacent to a primary access road servicing residents in the Tatla Lake area.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Williams Lake Community Forest will receive funding to complete fuel treatments in the Flatrock area on forested stands adjacent to private residences near Williams Lake.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: The District of 100 Mile will receive funding for fuel reduction treatments around the community of Forest Grove near 100 Mile House.
- Fuel Break Treatment: Consus Management Ltd. will receive funding to undertake a landscape-level fuel break along an access corridor leading to communities near 100 Mile House.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescription: Wells-Barkerville Community Forest will receive funding to undertake planning activities to inform future thinning treatments in a forested area adjacent to the community of Wells.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Nazko First Nation will receive funding to lead a forest thinning and rehabilitation project in an area east of the Nazko community.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. will receive funding to complete thinning treatments on landscape-level fuel breaks that are anchored to existing road systems near Williams Lake.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescription: Tl’esqox will receive funding to undertake the planning and future implementation of fuel reduction treatments along Highway 20 near Williams Lake.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescription and Treatment: Consus Management Ltd. will receive funding to create plans and implement the Three Rivers Community Forest’s first Wildfire Risk Reduction treatments in the area around Dragon Mountain near Quesnel.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: The City of Williams Lake will receive funding to implement fuel reduction treatments in areas adjacent to the access road to the Williams Lake Airport.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: Willians Lake First Nation will receive funding to complete thinning treatments in forested areas adjacent to existing access roads near 150 Mile House, creating landscape-level fuel breaks.
- Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment: The City of Quesnel will receive funding as part of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Quesnel and the surrounding area. The goal is to mitigate the impact of wildfires and the wood fibre from these projects will be utilized at local energy facilities.
Of the 64 total new projects to receive investments from FESBC throughout the province, 31 projects are led by Indigenous organizations and an additional 14 projects have significant Indigenous participation.
“The BC First Nations Forestry Council would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Province of BC and FESBC for providing the funding needed to get boots on the ground and support critical work. Mitigating wildfire risk and creating a more fire-ready landscape is essential,” said Lennard Joe, CEO, BC First Nations Forestry Council. “I am grateful for our First Nations contractors, whose capacity and readiness, position them to lead this important work and help move the province forward in a good way.” To learn more about some of the innovative and collaborative projects invested in by FESBC that have been led by local project proponents throughout the province, you are invited to take a look at the Spring 2025 Accomplishments Update.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
Jennifer Gunter, Executive Director, BC Community Forest Association: “FESBC has played a vital role in supporting community forests across the province to complete work that prioritizes local values, including wildfire risk reduction, utilizing wood waste, and enhancing forest resiliency in rural areas. By partnering with local stakeholders such as community forest managers, they help ensure that their initiatives align with the unique needs and priorities of each community. This collaborative approach not only promotes sustainable forest management but also creates important economic and social opportunities.”
Gord Chipman, Executive Director, Woodlots BC: “Every year, between 5,000 to 10,000 hectares of woodlots are impacted by wildfire. 20% of woodlots are located in a Wildland Urban Interface and have a high or extreme wildfire risk. With FESBC’s investments for new wildfire risk reduction projects, woodlots will have the opportunity to be proactive and take greater strategic action to better protect communities and people. These projects will be innovative and evolve with the involvement of BC Wildfire Service and local Forest Districts.”
For an interview with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, contact:
Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, communications@fesbc.ca | 250.574.0221
FESBC would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests.