It has been announced that communities and workers throughout British Columbia will be benefiting from 64 new Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) supported projects that are intended to reduce wildfire risk, enhance forest health and gain fibre into the hands of mills and energy producers.
Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests said: “The projects I am announcing today will remove almost 11,000 truckloads of flammable waste fibre from our forests.
“We all have a role to play in reducing wildfire risk in B.C. This fibre that once would have been burned in slash piles will instead support workers and help keep communities safe.”
With $19 million in provincial funding, projects will take place in all eight of the Province’s natural resource regions.
This includes 31 led by First Nations and another 14 with First Nations involvement, demonstrating the critical leadership role First Nation communities are playing in restoring and protecting B.C.’s forests.
This funding is part of the $90 million allocated in 2025 for wildfire-prevention initiatives through BC Wildfire Service, FireSmart initiatives and FESBC.
Jason Fisher, Executive Director, FESBC shared: “We received so many excellent applications from interested parties across the province looking to invest in the future of B.C.’s forests.
“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.”
These projects are intended to build on the Province’s broader support for B.C.’s forest sector, which includes wildfire reduction, streamlining permitting, investing in innovation and advocating for fairness in international trade, especially in the face of U.S. softwood lumber duties and potential tariff threats.
Steve Morissette, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development added: “Many rural British Columbians know the risk of wildfires well, and many have been in frightening situations.
“This funding will help support forestry projects in rural, remote and First Nations communities with a focus on sustainability and fire prevention.”
Wildfire-mitigation projects remove excess wood and flammable undergrowth from areas around rural centres and have proven effective during previous wildfire seasons.
The BC Wildfire Service is planning to treat 9,600 hectares in 2025-26, with more than an additional 2,100 hectares planned under FESBC.
Fibre-recovery projects take wood fibre that would otherwise be burned or abandoned and put it in the hands of mills and forestry companies that can use it, helping keep forestry workers on the job.
64 new Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) supported projects will be introduced to benefit communities and workers across British Columbia. These projects are intended to reduce wildfire risk and enhance forest health.
