PRINCE GEORGE – People who work every day to restore B.C.’s forests are feeling concerned. …However, tree planters, thinning crews, and forestry contractors across the province say this closure could also threaten their jobs. …They raise a bigger question that has not received much attention: As more mills close, is B.C. losing its ability to restore its forests? …Mills play a key role in this process. When there are fewer mills, it becomes much harder to carry out restoration work. …Jeff Lutes from the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association explains that the pulp mill used to buy low-value wood from restoration projects. This includes leftover fibre from fire-mitigation and commercial thinning work. …This uncertainty makes it difficult for contractors to plan or expand. …He warns that dealing with wildfire damage will require much more funding.