Audits postponed due to B.C. forest fire situation

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has postponed its audits planned for the southern and central Interior of British Columbia, due to the current forest fire situation.

An audit of forest licence A18700 near Lillooet was scheduled to start today, but will not proceed at this time. Another audit in the Quesnel area has also been delayed.

“Forest company staff are focused on assisting with the firefighting effort and most helicopter services are currently devoted to the fires,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “We don’t want to divert any attention or resources away from the fires and so we have decided to wait until the situation has improved before undertaking any audit field work in the affected parts of the province.”

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government.

The board audits forest and range practices on public land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement. Each summer the Board carries out 10 to 12 audits of forest and range operations throughout B.C.

Contact:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899