The British Columbia (B.C.) government faces calls for a significant overhaul in forest management strategies following a pivotal study on the 2021 atmospheric river that devastated parts of the province. The study, co-authored by senior geoscientist Carie-Ann Hancock of BGC Engineering Inc., highlights the urgent need to protect downstream communities, infrastructure, fish, and water quality from escalating environmental threats.
Hancock's research, which began four years ago with aerial surveys, reveals troubling connections between logging activities, wildfires, and landslides. Her findings underscore the pressing need for a "paradigm shift" in how forests are managed across B.C.
A Four-Year Study Unveils Alarming Trends
Hancock embarked on her study four years ago, utilizing initial helicopter surveys to gather comprehensive data. The area under investigation featured an extensive network of 35,000 kilometres of mapped resource roads. Since 1918, the region has experienced 3,200 wildfires, with a notable increase in both frequency and size over the last two decades.
Her research highlights a concerning trend: approximately one-third of these wildfires originated in areas disturbed by logging cutblocks or resource roads. Hancock meticulously analyzed historical fire and logging records to decipher the catastrophic events of 2021. She discovered that since 1990, forest harvesting had removed around 4,000 square kilometres of forest cover in the study area.
The study revealed that nearly half of the landslides during the 2021 floods were linked to areas that had been logged or burned by wildfire. The consequences were severe, with rail lines and highways knocked out, and approximately 18,000 people forced to evacuate.
The Impact of Extreme Weather Events
The 2021 atmospheric river delivered devastating floods and collapsing hillsides across southwest British Columbia. These events were compounded by a record-setting heat dome that brought temperatures soaring above 50°C in Lytton—an all-time Canadian high. Shortly after, a wildfire consumed much of the town.
"That year, a heat dome set an all-time Canadian temperature record of more than 50 C in Lytton. A day later, a wildfire burned much of the town."
The atmospheric river unleashed an unprecedented amount of precipitation, resulting in over 1,300 landslides and debris flows in the region. Hancock's study found that more than 600 of these originated in disturbed forests.
"That’s an extreme amount, and it has to go somewhere," remarked Carie-Ann Hancock.
In light of these findings, Hancock's research underscores the growing threat posed by extreme weather events. Past studies estimate that powerful heat waves could become more frequent, recurring every five to ten years over the coming decades. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers are projected to strike B.C. five times annually by the 2080s, compared to less than once a year in the 1990s.
Calls for a Paradigm Shift in Forest Management
The study's revelations have sparked calls for a new approach to forest management in British Columbia. With nearly half of the landslides traced back to logged or burned areas, stakeholders emphasize the importance of safeguarding downstream communities and infrastructure.
The B.C. government is being urged to adopt innovative strategies to prevent future disasters. This includes rethinking how forests are logged and how resource roads are constructed and maintained. Protecting fish habitats and ensuring water quality also remain central to these discussions.
Carie-Ann Hancock's research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between human activities and natural disasters. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies that consider both environmental sustainability and community safety.
