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…Wildfires scorched 2.9 million hectares of Saskatchewan forest last year, forcing thousands of people from their homes and destroying more than 450 dwellings across the province, according to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). Some experts are warning this year could be just as bad. A relatively dry fall and unusual winter conditions are setting the stage, said Colin Laroque, a professor of environmental science at the University of Saskatchewan. …Finance Minister Jim Reiter called this year’s provincial budget “essentially” the status quo for wildfire preparation and response. The province announced a $20-million increase for the SPSA earlier this month, bringing its total budget to $140 million. The increase includes an additional water bomber. …Eric Lamb, a professor at U of S, said extreme weather conditions are no longer rare and require a different approach focused more on preventative measures, like prescribed burns, before a wildfire season begins.

From a first-time filmmaker’s look at backcountry cleanup crusaders, to the story of a historic swim down Okanagan Lake, to a quirky family tale filmed in Vernon. The fourth annual Okanagan Screen Awards shone the spotlight on independent, local productions. Dozens of awards were handed out during the two-day celebration in Kelowna. Snapping up the Social Impact honours was “What Lies Behind The Trees”, the debut documentary by Kelowna’s Eli Coburn, about the work of the Okanagan Forest Task Force. …The top feature documentary was “BC is Burning” by Murray Wilson. It explores the causes and consequences of the megafires that have devastated parts of the Okanagan and other communities in the province in recent years. …The Okanagan Screen Awards are a production of the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking.

Taryn Skalbania

BC Timber Sales is currently welcoming public comments about logging within the Glen Lake watershed that feeds the drinking water source for residents of Peachland and the wider Okanagan. The forests within the watershed are responsible for dispersing water into our arid valley, trapping cool air and sending breezes down to the lakeshore, which makes life on the lake livable in August. Five years ago, the B.C. Ministry of Forests Technical Advisory Panel identified portions of old-growth in this area as at-risk. It recommended them for high-priority deferral. Experts tell us we should protect these forests in order to protect our watershed. Despite thay, these stands are at risk of logging. It’s now up to us to make our voices heard if clean water, biodiversity, healthy forests and extreme events matter to us. BCTS welcomes public comments until April 13.

A petition to stop a logging operation in the North Okanagan is gaining momentum. As of March 25 more than 2,200 people had signed the e-petition that is in opposition to a proposed 24-hectare cut block scheduled to start this summer at the end of Hartnell Road in the North BX area of Vernon. “The impacted area (KV8RF) is along and over Brookside Creek. Forestry plans to clear a significant amount of very old cedar and fir trees along the steep Brookside Creek catchment area. It will be highly visible from the many communities in Vernon,” the petition says. The petition, that was started by Regan Truscott, says there are also numerous hiking trails in the area that are frequented year round by walkers and hikers, skiers, mountain bikers and motor sport enthusiasts. “This cut block will negatively impact those who walk or recreate in this area,” the petition says.

• BCCFA opens sponsorship and registration for 2026 Conference & AGM: June 3–5, 2026 in Vernon. The event offers visibility across a network representing more than 100 communities.
• New community forest films released featuring Chinook and Logan Lake: The BCCFA has launched new videos, alongside a CBC feature on Logan Lake’s Randy Spyksma and participation from Forests Minister Ravi Parmar.
• Harrop-Procter highlighted in new ‘Out on a Limb’ episode: showcases innovative approaches using resistance, resilience and transition strategies to support climate-ready forests.
• Province moves to expand BCTS role to increase fibre access: Supporting smaller operators, and expanding BC Timber Sales’ role in forest stewardship and salvage operations.
• Wildfire resilience and collaboration front and centre: From SFU-led wildfire workshops to new datasets and equipment funding programs across BC.
• Resources and supports target sector transition and safety: Workforce transition supports, a wildfire data webinar series, and WorkSafeBC guidance on reducing struck-by incidents.

The Okanagan Screen Awards, a two-day celebration of film, creativity, and community, took place March 28–29, 2026 in the sunny paradise of Kelowna, BC. The Okanagan Screen Awards are proudly presented by the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking (OSIF), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for independent filmmakers in the Okanagan region. Congratulations to “BC is Burning” for winning 1st Place in the Feature Docs category! 

The Bulkley Valley Research Centre (BVRC) is seeking a Manager, Research Development & Partnerships to help expand our research programs by building partnerships, identifying funding opportunities, and developing collaborative research initiatives. This role is ideal for an early- to mid-career professional who enjoys connecting people, ideas, and funding opportunities to support meaningful environmental research. Working closely with BVRC leadership, researchers, community partners, and First Nations, you will help develop new research initiatives that address natural resource challenges across British Columbia. If you enjoy building relationships and turning ideas into funded projects, this role offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to research that has real-world impact. The Bulkley Valley Research Centre (BVRC) is an independent nonprofit research organization based in Smithers, BC, on Gitdumden Clan territory of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Based in Smithers, BC, this is a full-time, 2-year term with possibility of renewal, hybrid/remote options considered. Closing Date: April 7, 2026, or until filled.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is proud to release a new Indigenous Rights and Relationship Building Spotlight video featuring the Tsuut’ina Nation. The video highlights the Nation’s leadership in land stewardship, including wildfire resilience and community-based forest management, and in strengthening capacity, engaging youth, and advancing long-term sustainability rooted in the cultural values and self-determined priorities. It also shares how the SFI Forest Management Standard supports the implementation of many of these priorities and values, such as mitigating undesirable impacts of wildfire. …For many years, Tsuut’ina Nation has worked closely with SFI-certified organization West Fraser Cochrane, formerly Spray Lakes Sawmills, on land management consultation within its Traditional Territories and land management planning as the Nation advances toward SFI certification. One of their priorities has been wildfire mitigation efforts to reduce the risk near the community. 

Mission’s forestry department hosted its annual ‘CutBlock Party’ last Saturday (March 21). The approximately 150 people in attendance planted 600 trees near Hunter Logging Road at the end of Sabo Street in northern Mission. The newly-planted trees are part of the effort to reforest a recently logged cutblock. They are among the estimated 100,000 trees the forestry department is planting this spring as part of its annual silviculture and reforestation program. Bari Hanus, forestry technician with the City of Mission, said the species that are being planted are mainly Douglas fir, western red cedar and white pine. “We plant really high quality seedlings that are well-suited to Mission’s climate. Those species are all selected for their climate adaptability, their role as a native species, and their ability to thrive in local forest ecosystem,” Hanus said.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) will be jointly working on two fuel reduction measures near Lytton, one in Botanie Valley and the other near Highway 1 north of the town, and one in the Hat Creek Valley. The Hat Creek cultural burn will cover an area of up to 40 hectares, approximately 15 kilometres west of Cache Creek in the Upper Hat Creek Valley. The project, known as the Harry Lake Grasslands cultural burn, is in partnership with the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District and Bonaparte First Nation. The burn is part of a multi-year project meant to introduce fire into the Upper Hat Creek Valley. Key goals of the burn include revitalization of cultural burning practices by St’uxwtéws (Bonaparte) First Nation; reintroduction of fire to a fire deficit ecosystem; and ecological maintenance and improvement of grasslands. It is also part of a research initiative being undertaken by the University of British Columbia into prescribed fire in the area.

Wildfire fuel mitigation will remain a priority for the city, despite the B.C. government’s plans to stem the flow of FireSmart funding. At its March 23 meeting, city council received a presentation by Assistant Fire Chief Carmen Guidos, who was seeking direction on a couple of matters. One had to do with the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) currently under development. The other was in regard of fuel mitigation work already planned for Coyote Park, South Canoe, and a small treatment area on Mt. Ida. The connecting thread prompting Guidos’ presentation was recent changes by the BC government to how it funds community FireSmart initiatives. The province introduced the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FSCFS) programs in 2018, providing approximately $175 million since then for communities to hire coordinators, conduct education campaigns and pay for fuel management efforts.