Jesse Zeman

Dave Quinn

Although massive wildfires can cause disruption and danger to both wildlife and humans, environmentalists in B.C. note these wildfires can also bring benefits to certain species. According to Jesse Zeman, executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, burned forest trees release nutrients into the soil, and the absence of canopy barriers allows for increased sunlight. …Dave Quinn, a program co-ordinator for the conservation advocacy group Wildsight, based in Kimberley, B.C., says if the fire burns the appropriate type of soil under favourable conditions, it can lead to the growth of a diverse range of deciduous trees and shrubs, which can then serve as an abundant source of food for wildlife. …Quinn recommends against replanting burned areas with coniferous trees like pine, fir, and spruce, as these species can become overgrown and contribute to larger wildfires.