In 2024, Mercer Forestry Services (MFS) made significant progress on its forest thinning project near Arrow Park,
British Columbia. Initiated in 2023, the 40-hectare initiative on Crown Land aims to reduce wildfire risk by creating
a fire buffer zone adjacent to the community. Awarded through a competitive bidding process by the BC Ministry
of Forests, the project involved a three-phase approach to wildfire mitigation:
- Thinning Forest Fuels: Using conventional harvesting equipment, MFS removed approximately 40% of the
timber volume, focusing on less windfirm, fire-susceptible trees. Merchantable logs were processed and
delivered, including some to Mercer Celgar, while non-merchantable stems were piled for disposal. - Forest Floor Cleanup: Cabin Resource Management was hired to prune ladder fuels and remove fine forest
debris by hand. - Final Disposal: The waste piles were burned in a controlled manner in 2024, completing the project.
The project achieved its primary goal of protecting Arrow Park while demonstrating cost-effective practices.
Costs to the Province were offset by stumpage royalties, highlighting the value of sustainable forest management.
This success showcases MFS’s ability to balance public safety, fiber procurement, and environmental stewardship,
paving the way for future projects in wildfire mitigation.
