Ainsworth, bands continue to work in Ama Creek burn

 

Ainsworth's operation to salvage timber in the Town Creek burn area is progressing as scheduled, Ainsworth operations superintendent Kevin Raynes says.

"We have two logging contractors up there now (for Ainsworth), and they're making pretty good progress," he told the News.

Ainsworth is slated to take a block of about 210.8 hectares from the Ama Creek area, where the Town Creek fire raged in June and July of last year. Xwsten and T't'q'et also have logging projects on reserve land near Ainsworth's operations in the burn.

"When all is said and done, it'll be close to 300 hectares (that will be logged)," Raynes said. "There is a small patch of green timber that will not be harvested."

Raynes said work for one contractor is expected to last until sometime next month, while the other contractor is involved in more lengthy yarding procedures and may work until the first snowfall.

"Work on the Town Creek side will wrap up next month, but we may go back later in the year," Raynes commented. "(However), the wood on the Ama Creek side is more heavily damaged by the fire."

Raynes said the bulk of the logs is being processed as peelers at the local mill.

"There's not much saw grade log," he noted. "There's more fire damage at the top of the trees where the bark is thinner."

Other logs are going to an OSB plant in 100 Mile and being sold as house logs to a company in Vernon.

"(The wood) has more value as house logs," Raynes stated.

Ainsworth began harvesting trees in the Town Creek burn area in mid-May. Raynes said that a geotechnical specialist has toured the area twice; a hydrologist has also visited the operation.

Both experts have written reports and have not voiced any concerns regarding environmental problems, Raynes said.

Bridge River Lillooet News AUG 17th 2005.

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