B.C.'s forests struggle to recover as logging and wildfires take their toll

As British Columbia grapples with the effects of over-logging and wildfires, experts warn that the province’s forests are rapidly depleting, leaving the forestry industry in crisis.

Zoë Yunker reports for The Tyee.

In short:

• B.C. has allowed excessive logging for decades, and its replanted forests are too young to harvest, leading companies to seek timber elsewhere.
• Wildfires and pest infestations have further devastated B.C.’s forest reserves, with many areas facing a biodiversity crisis.
• Experts argue that the province’s forest management system is outdated and inadequate to prevent ecosystem collapse.

Key quote:

“There’s a new normal that’s emerged. For us, it’s quite a terrifying one.”

— James Gorman, senior vice-president at West Fraser Timber Co.

Why this matters:

B.C.’s forestry industry is at risk, with shrinking tree supplies and ecosystems in danger of collapse. Mismanaged logging practices, combined with natural disasters, are threatening biodiversity and leaving a growing gap between sustainable practices and reality.