Wildfire Salvage Opportunity Agreement

A Wildfire Salvage Opportunity Agreement (WSOA) is an enabling agreement, signed between the Province and a First Nation, under section 47.3 of the Forest Act. After a WSOA is signed, wildfire salvage opportunities can be directly awarded to the First Nation in accordance with the agreement. The term of a WSOA is 10 years, and multiple licences can be issued in accordance with one WSOA.

A signed WSOA does not guarantee that the First Nation will be directly awarded a wildfire salvage opportunity. However, having a pre-signed WSOA in place can enable the Province to award a licence more expediently following wildfire events, as suitable salvage opportunities are identified. Before a licence can be issued in accordance with a WSOA, the following conditions must apply:

• a catastrophic fire has occurred in a management unit and there are areas with moderate and/or heavy fire damage  
• harvesting commitments under existing tenures cannot successfully salvage the affected timber
• The Province, in collaboration with First Nations, has identified a need or opportunity to provide a wildfire specific salvage licence for ecosystem recovery, fibre utilization opportunities or other post-fire recovery treatments.

Licences issued in accordance with a WSOA are limited to:

• a non-replaceable forest licence (NRFL) or a forestry licence to cut (FLTC^. major)
• term will be 5 years (no extension).
• volumes may range from 2,000 m³ to 50,000 m³. 
• licence areas will likely be specific to wildfire boundaries or a specific catastrophic event to manage multiple values in the management unit, including retention, hydrological effects, biodiversity, or ecosystem recovery. 

A WSOA must be signed between the First Nation and the Province, but the licence that is issued in accordance with the WSOA may be held by that First Nation’s representative as defined in the Forest Act section 47.3. 

If you are interested in entering into a WSOA please contact your local Natural Resource District Office.

Guidance Memo & Process Chart

• BC Gov News on WSOAs
• WSOA Process Chart (PDF, 89KB)