The Province of British Columbia will allocate 60,000 m3 of timber to expand community forests in Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, and Fraser Lake, allowing these towns to manage forest resources locally, reduce wildfire risk, and supply fibre to area mills. This is part of the second phase of the Prince George Timber Supply apportionment, following the 2021 allocation of more than 1.2 million m3 to First Nations in the region, according to the Ministry of Forests.
The expanded community forests are managed under area-based forest licences issued to municipalities and First Nations for the benefit of local communities. The community forest in Fort St. James was established on March 7, 2001; Vanderhoof’s began on March 31, 2016; and Fraser Lake’s was created on August 1, 2017. In total, British Columbia has 62 community forests operating under this model.
First Nations remain involved through consultation, equity partnerships, and commercial agreements. The province highlights their leadership and stewardship traditions as essential to ensuring environmental, economic, and social benefits from community forest management.
Vanderhoof’s mayor Kevin Moutray stated that the district aims to thin areas harvested and replanted 30 to 40 years ago to improve forest health, reduce wildfire threats, and support jobs. According to the BC Community Forest Association, these expansions offer long-term resilience, public benefits, and sustainable fibre access while maintaining ecosystem health.
This allocation, along with the province’s recently released BC Timber Sales review, is part of the government's broader strategy to maintain forestry as a sustainable, job-creating pillar of the provincial economy.
