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B.C. to appeal $710K WorkSafeBC penalty on ‘unsafe’ wildfire practices

Province says improvements are warranted, but the fine amount is ‘disproportionately high’
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Danger tree falling has been completed over Highway 4 at Cameron Bluffs. The landscape looks different as the fire continues to smoulder, but is considered ‘under control.’ (BC WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO)

The province says it plans to appeal the amount of a penalty imposed by WorkSafeBC for “unsafe” wildfire practices in B.C.’s northeastern region.

WorkSafeBC issued the $710,488 administrative penalty on Oct. 26, 2023, according to the recently posted decision. The incident happened in Wonowon, about 89 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John.

The decision states the provincial government was the owner of the worksite where tree falling and other wildfire fuel reduction activities were taking place, and when WorkSafeBC inspected the site, they found evidence of “unsafe falling cuts, including stumps with insufficient holding wood.

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Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's national team, after my journalism career took me across B.C. since I was 19 years old.
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