British Columbia Ancient Forests Under Threat As Logging Intensifies Wildfire

In British Columbia, Canada, the Wet'suwet'en Nation is battling to preserve a pristine old-growth watershed, Caas Tl'aat Twah, from logging and devastating wildfires. The nation has secured a temporary logging deferral for the area but seeks permanent protection.

Scientists warn that industrial logging increases fire intensity in old-growth forests by drying out the land. Conserving intact forests like Caas Tl'aat Twah can prevent catastrophic fires. However, logging companies have already cleared 80% of British Columbia's forests.

The Wet'suwet'en Nation, which never signed treaties with Canada or the province, is determined to safeguard their ancestral land. They're working to protect the watershed, home to endangered species and culturally significant sites.

Experts say the province's approach to reducing wildfire severity is flawed, focusing on thinning forests rather than preserving old growth. The Wet'suwet'en Nation wants to protect Caas Tl'aat Twah entirely according to their governance traditions.

The fate of this ancient forest hangs in the balance, as the nation navigates complex government policies and colonial legacy. Will their efforts be enough to save this precious ecosystem?

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