Operation Save the Forests of British Columbia
1,500 workers plan to come to the province to plant trees.
Over the summer of 2021, about 300 million trees are planned to be planted in British Columbia's interior. Most of the effort will go to places that have been affected by wildfires.
Last year, the holding of such an event caused much comment and concern about the spread of COVID-19 among workers and the subsequent spread of the virus to remote areas of the country. However, no cases were recorded and this year the public response is much calmer.
Workers will come from Quebec and Ontario. They will cross the country to join B.C. professionals to help plant new trees in the midst of the pandemic.
The government's plan includes measures to reduce damage from forest fires and address the effects of climate change. The first step will be to replace affected trees with new saplings.
Despite the lack of illnesses, regulations in camps and at logging sites will be even stricter this year. Forestry companies have worked out safety measures and behavioural protocols with the BC Ministry of Health.
These include strict supervision of workers before they arrive on site, complete isolation during their first weeks on site and isolation of camps.
