During these cool spring nights, people often light their fireplaces to keep warm. But do you know where your firewood came from? Was it legally harvested?

Cutting down trees on Crown land without the appropriate permit and then selling them as firewood is a serious problem throughout the province. This activity is illegal and could result in a violation ticket of $173 or more if significant environmental damage is done. It could also create safety hazards for the public, recreationalists and other forest users, and negatively affect the area's ecosystem and fish habitats.

The public can do its part by purchasing firewood only from legitimate producers selling wood from either private land or through one of the community forests.

If you are buying firewood, ask where the firewood comes from (Crown land or private land). Firewood that comes from Crown land (including provincial parks and conservancies) in the Bella Coola Valley and is bought or sold without proper documentation can be seized and removed by compliance and enforcement officers.

Firewood that comes from untenured Crown land cannot be sold, although it can be cut for personal use once a permit is obtained. If you would like to cut firewood on vacant Crown land for personal use, you can obtain a free permit by contacting the Bella Coola Field Office at 1681 Bella Coola Airport Road or applying online at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dni/Permit/Permits.htm.

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261