Skwlax te Secwepemcúl̓ecw
Wildfire Restoration
In August 2023, the Bush Creek East Wildfire tore through the North Shuswap, burning across more than 43,000 hectares. On Skwlax lands, fire intensity was extreme—consuming the organic soil layer and eliminating much of the natural seed bank. In many areas, the forest lost its ability to regenerate on its own.
What remains is a landscape in a prolonged recovery state—where natural regeneration could take decades without intervention.
This project is focused on accelerating that recovery.
Our partners
Project Overview
Beginning in April 2026, Cariboo Carbon Solutions will work alongside Skwlax Resource Management to restore forest across approximately 1,500 hectares of wildfire-impacted land. The work targets areas where regeneration has failed or is unlikely to occur naturally, prioritizing sites critical to watershed function, habitat recovery, and long-term ecosystem stability.
Project Details
1.1 million trees
We plan to plant 1.1 million trees by 2026.
1500 hectares
Wildfire-impacted land that will be reforested.
Locally-grown
We’re supported by local tree nurseries, who grow local and biodiverse tree seedlings.
The planting approach is both ecological and site-specific. Rather than uniform spacing, trees will be planted in clumped distributions that reflect natural stand structure. A diverse mix of species—including Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, western larch, hybrid spruce, and select deciduous species—will be placed based on microsite conditions such as moisture availability, soil depth, and available shelter. This approach improves survival rates while supporting structural and species diversity across the landscape.
The outcomes extend beyond reforestation. Re-establishing forest cover will help stabilize soils, reduce erosion and peak flow risks, and protect key watershed systems feeding into Scotch Creek and the Adams River—both critical to salmon populations and regional hydrology. As canopy structure returns, it will moderate ground temperatures, improve moisture retention, and support the gradual recovery of wildlife habitat.
This work is grounded in collaboration with the Skwlax community and is informed by ecological science and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge.
—ANDREW STEEVES, cariboo carbon solutions Operations manager 
