Tag Archives: Jens Wieting

Heat wave: Campfire Ban

In the midst of heat wave that is breaking temperatures across British Columbia, the BC Wildfire Service is imposing a ban on all open fires, including campfires, fireworks, tiki torches, outdoor stoves, sky lanterns, and/or burn barrels in the Greater Campbell River area. 

This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.

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BC’s new old-growth advisory panel

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environmentalists struggling to save diminishing ancient forests on Canada’s West Coast are hopeful after B.C. announced a new old-growth advisory panel staffed by respected foresters and scientists.

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Photo of Old Growth tree on a truck goes viral

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. government is misleading the public when it suggests the massive old-growth tree on a truck that has created a social media storm wouldn’t be logged today, says a conservationist group.

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Horgan did not use the word old-growth, in warning to forestry sector

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Though the battle to protect ancient trees is brewing in his own backyard, B.C. Premier John Horgan did not utter the word old-growth when talking to logging industry leaders Thursday.

Horgan — keynote speaker at the Council of Forest Industries conference — did not highlight what steps the province is taking on its promise to meet recommendations from the strategic old-growth review, which calls for a radical shift from timber extraction to protection of at-risk ecosystems.

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The Crises In Our Forests

The story that follows contains perspectives not necessarily shared by the Cortes Radio Society, its board, staff, volunteers or membership.

On Monday, November 25, 2019, the forest management company Mosaic began shutting down its Vancouver Island harvesting operations because of “very challenging pricing and market conditions.” Approximately 2,000 people – contractors, union and non union workers, are being dismissed “ahead of the usual winter shutdown.” Mosaic plans to “resume harvesting when the market outlook improves,” but some see this as symptomatic of a much larger industry problem. Sierra Club BC and the Wilderness Committee had planned to hold an event in Campbell River’s downtown Community Centre that same day. Two hours before this was to begin, the city of Campbell River cancelled it because of “the number of people anticipated, the strong potential for highly-charged emotion, and lack of time to establish a security plan for this booking.” This morning’s program is about the crises in our forests.

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