Protect Your Forests

A forest is not just a stand of trees, it is also the ecosystem in which they grow, including the soil, other plants, animals, micro-organisms and the climate

The public owns about 95 per cent of the forest in British Columbia with the majority of the area either a provincial park or Crown forest. As an owner of the Crown forest, you have a stake in what happens in the forest

Thieves take timber that's already been cut, by legitimate loggers but not yet hauled away. Or, the thieves cut timber themselves, often from parks and other protected areas. This logging is illegal, as is selling the timber, mis-marking the logs or manufacturing them into lumber or other products.

Vandals frequently damage logging equipment, spike trees, plug culverts, deliberately set fire to forests or structures. Some vandals wreck Forest Service camp sites or trails.

These are crimes prosecutable under the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act, the Range Act, and the Criminal Code (Canada). These Acts protect the forest's biodiversity, scenic views, water, soil and the cultural and heritage aspects of the forests.

Illegal activities can take place anywhere or at any time. Illegal harvest or transport of timber is most likely to occur late in the evening or on weekends. The location might be at a logging site, in an untouched forest or park, on our highways during timber transportation, or at a mill processing facility. Vandalism occurs in active logging areas or at forest recreation sites and trails.

Burning or damage to forests can happen anywhere in B.C. with the higher number and size of fires happening during warmer months.

Indeed, most illegal activity in the forests occurs in spring, summer and fall.

• Suspicious activities in the woods in the evening and on weekends where timber is being cut and loaded into pickups or vans
• Rental vans in the forest where they would not normally be.
• Campfires in locations that they should not be.
• Bright lights on hillsides at night.
• Chainsaws running in the middle of the night or on weekends.
• Anyone damaging logging equipment or spiking trees.
• Anyone damaging a forest service recreation site or trail or deliberately setting a fire.

If you think you have witnessed a crime in the woods, do not approach the person and do not take a photo of them! Instead observe what they are doing, record it on paper and report it to the authorities.

Observe any suspicious activity.

Record your observations on paper.

Report the incident to any of the following:

• The local Forest Service office
• The local detachment of the police, or
• Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
• If reporting a forest fire: 1-800-663-5555

When you call in a tip you will be asked to provide information such as a description of the person(s), a description of their vehicle or vessel, any registration or distinguishing logo (car rental identifier, licence plate), what they are doing, when, and where. You can remain anonymous. If you wish to be eligible for a reward, contact the Crime Stoppers tip line.