BC Details Increased Wildfire Timber Salvage in 2025

Working with the forestry sector, First Nations, and local governments, British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests said regulatory changes in 2025 made it easier to harvest burned timber and move salvaged wood to local mills, contributing to a banner year for wildfire log salvage.

The province said the effort will continue into 2026, aiming to turn wildfire damage into economic opportunities while supporting forestry employment. Salvage logging is seen as critical to maintaining short- and long-term timber supply, helping land recovery through retention and reforestation, and ensuring burned wood is recovered before it loses economic value.

The Ministry of Forests said post-wildfire management increasingly begins while fires are still active, using satellite mapping, field reconnaissance, and reviews of existing cutting permits to identify salvage opportunities. Timber species plays a key role in recovery timelines, with Douglas fir remaining suitable for lumber production for roughly two to three years after a fire.

BC also highlighted Wildfire Salvage Opportunity Agreements, which allow wildfire salvage tenures to be directly awarded to First Nations. Since their introduction in 2022, the province has issued 22 agreements and 12 associated tenures.