KAMLOOPS, B.C. – More than a million cubic metres of fire-damaged timber in the Kamloops region will be harvested thanks to an agreement between the B.C. Forests department and two local Indian bands.

The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the Little Shuswap Indian Band have been given approval by the province to salvage fire-damaged timber.

“Through this direct award salvage opportunity, this government is acting on its commitment to create economic opportunities for First Nations,” said Forests Minister, Michael de Jong.

“Not only will this direct award create jobs, but allow government and First Nations to address a shared priority for the care, protection and rehabilitation of the land.”

The fire-damaged timber is located in the Kamloops Timber Supply Area.

Existing licensees will also have a chance to harvest some of the damaged wood as part of their current allocations.

“People in the North Thompson Valley have told me they want to see more timber available for First Nations, community forests and woodlots,” said Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger.

“When I took that request to Minister de Jong, he said he would be able to meet those requests and he has. I believe this agreement will build on a great relationship between the North Thompson Indian Band and communities in the valley.”

“We are moving ahead in a co-operative way because time is of the essence, both in creating economic opportunities for all residents of the North Thompson area and taking out wildfire-damaged timber,” said de Jong. The Kamloops region suffered from some of the worst fires to ever affect the area during the summer.