For the Record: on SCCF’s Wildfire Risk Reduction near the Sechelt Airport
- Sara Zieleman
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
NEWS RELEASE - NOVEMBER 12, 2025
We are concerned that significant misinformation is being spread about our wildfire risk reduction treatment TU-5, adjacent to the Sechelt Airport. A local activist newsletter recently attributed claims to the SCCF which we never made, and provided inaccurate information about the scope of our planning.
SCCF has never claimed that the best way to reduce wildfire risk near community infrastructure is through large-scale tree removal. Plans are developed at each site by professional foresters who specialize in wildfire risk management, and are specific to the conditions and risks in that location. Approximately half of the area which will be treated for wildfire risk in the community forest will have no or marginal tree removal, based on planning to date. Within TU-5 specifically, the plan does call for removal of a large portion of the dense conifers. However, the purpose of this treatment is to allow for native deciduous species to fill in over time, as well as understory plants. The stand is being converted to one that is more fire resilient, more biodiverse, and will again be full of trees of a different kind.
The SCCF cannot unilaterally close forest service roads, spur roads, or utility rights-of-way; access is regulated by the shíshálh Nation and the Ministry of Forests. This would also not be an alternative to managing forests near community for fire resilience. Access supports community use of forests for recreation, gathering botanicals, hunting, and tourism and is prioritized in land use plans for this area and most of BC.
The SCCF’s plan does take into account proximity to the Sechelt Fire Base. Both the SCRD’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the SCCF’s Wildfire Tactical Plan identified TU-5 as an area requiring treatment, and both take into account community infrastructure including specifically the Sechelt Fire Base. With the Sechelt Fire Base operating out of the Sechelt Airport, there is additional risk because the smoke from a fire could ground BC Wildfire Service air support. We have walked TU-5 with BC Wildfire Service staff including from the Sechelt Fire Base. Particulate matter in wildfire smoke can cause arcing from power lines, and ensuring safe access with BC Hydro increases response time to fires near power infrastructure, adding to the importance of treating this area from their perspective.
The SCCF will not be slash burning in TU-5. Non-merchantable wood will be chipped and removed to Salish Soils or diverted to our firewood yard, and merchantable wood will be sold to offset the cost of the treatment.
END OF RELEASE
It’s important to approach claims about forestry and wildfire risk with care, and to consider the credibility of the source. Look for basic signs of trustworthiness—such as whether anyone with relevant professional qualifications has contributed to or endorsed the information, whether the organization has a transparent governance structure, and whether it openly shares its objectives, finances, and who it is accountable to. Be cautious of messaging that relies heavily on fear, urgency, or dramatic language to solicit donations or support; these tactics are common in activism campaigns designed to provoke concern rather than provide accurate information. Taking a moment to check sources, seek out professional expertise, and understand the broader context can help prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that community discussions are grounded in facts.
Looking for further information?
Fuel for Thought
This 6-page PDF was developed by the BC Community Forest Association, the UBC Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, BC Wildfire Service, First Nations First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, and the Silviculture Innovation Program. It is designed to clarify the complexities of fuel treatments, addresses common concerns and misconceptions, and features user-friendly graphics, a helpful glossary, and additional resources to support informed discussions. Download here or click the cover image.
Wildfire and Forest Stewardship in the SCCF
Visit our wildfire information page at sccf.ca/stewardship. You'll find our wildfire risk reduction planning information, as well as other relevant information like the meeting recording of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan presentation to the SCRD board, webinars, and case studies. You'll also find links to our planning documents here.
Forestry Planning Documents for TU-5
Responses provided by SCCF on TU-5
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