LAKE COWICHAN, British Columbia — A suspicious fire that destroyed three pieces of logging equipment along a remote road on Vancouver Island has sparked an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with local forestry operators pointing fingers at nearby environmental protesters.
The blaze broke out early Friday morning on the Caycuse Main logging road, about an hour and 15 minutes drive from the town of Lake Cowichan. Mark Bryson, who oversees operations for Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, also known as C̕awak ʔqin Forestry, received a frantic call alerting him to the inferno. By the time emergency responders arrived, the damage was extensive: three heavy machines reduced to charred hulks, with losses estimated in the millions of dollars.
"Saddened, you know, knowing that a lot of money had just gone up in flames," Bryson told reporters, his voice heavy with frustration. The Lake Cowichan RCMP and the Lake Cowichan Fire Department were dispatched to the scene shortly after the call came in around dawn. Officials confirmed the incident is under active investigation, though they have not yet released details on the cause or any suspects.
Bryson, whose company operates under Tree Farm License 44 in the region, was quick to connect the dots to unrest just 30 minutes down the road. For months, a group of activists has maintained a protest camp near the logging site, part of a broader movement against old-growth forest harvesting in British Columbia. The demonstrations have drawn attention amid growing public outcry over the province's timber practices, with blockades and rallies highlighting concerns about biodiversity loss and climate impacts.
"You know, I am not going to accuse them directly, but… it seems like more than a coincidence to me," Bryson said, gesturing toward the smoldering wreckage. He described the scene as deliberate sabotage: nothing was stolen, but equipment had been thrown about before the fire took hold, suggesting arson rather than an accident. Global News visited the protest camp but found no one authorized to speak on the record, and email inquiries went unanswered.
The timing of the fire adds fuel to tensions in an area already strained by environmental activism. British Columbia's old-growth forests have become a flashpoint in recent years, with reports from environmental groups estimating that vast tracts of ancient trees are at risk. Protests like the one at Fairy Creek, about 50 kilometers north of Lake Cowichan, have led to hundreds of arrests and ongoing legal battles since 2021. While Bryson's operation is not directly at the heart of those blockades, the proximity has created an uneasy atmosphere for forestry workers.
Defending his company's practices, Bryson emphasized that current logging in the area is limited to second-growth timber. "Currently, we’re logging only second growth in the area, so there is no old-growth in this area that we’re logging presently," he said. The venture began in May, and he clarified that while future plans might include old-growth areas, none are active now. This distinction is crucial in a province where logging licenses like Tree Farm License 44 cover millions of hectares, balancing economic needs with conservation pressures.
The economic ripple effects of the fire are immediate and personal. Seven operators who relied on the destroyed machines are now sidelined, their livelihoods up in smoke alongside the equipment. "This is doing nothing other than putting a lot of hard-working guys out of work. It’s very disheartening," Bryson added, underscoring the human cost in an industry that employs thousands across Vancouver Island.
RCMP spokesperson Constable Sarah Foster, reached by phone, provided a measured update on the probe. "We are treating this as a criminal investigation due to the nature of the damage," she said, declining to speculate on motives or leads. Fire officials from the Lake Cowichan department reported no injuries but noted the remote location complicated response efforts, with crews battling flames in rugged terrain for several hours.
Broader context reveals a logging sector under scrutiny. British Columbia's forestry industry contributes over $13 billion annually to the economy, supporting some 50,000 jobs, according to provincial data. Yet, environmental advocates argue that unsustainable practices threaten irreplaceable ecosystems. The protests at Tree Farm License 44 echo similar actions elsewhere, where activists have chained themselves to trees and established tree-sits to halt operations.
Bryson's suspicion of protester involvement isn't isolated; similar incidents have been reported in logging hotspots. In 2022, equipment tampering was alleged during Fairy Creek protests, though charges were rare. Still, the lack of comment from the camp leaves the narrative one-sided for now. Organizers with the broader old-growth protection movement, such as the Ancient Forest Alliance, have distanced themselves from violence in past statements, calling for peaceful dialogue instead.
As investigators comb the site for evidence—accelerants, footprints, or digital trails—the incident highlights the volatile intersection of resource extraction and environmentalism in Canada. Vancouver Island, with its temperate rainforests and deep-rooted timber history, has long been a battleground. Companies like C̕awak ʔqin Forestry, a partnership involving First Nations interests, navigate complex agreements that include Indigenous rights alongside commercial logging.
The fire's aftermath could delay operations for weeks or months, depending on insurance and replacement timelines. Bryson expressed hope for a swift resolution but warned that escalating tensions could deter investment in the sector. "We're just trying to do our jobs responsibly," he said, echoing a sentiment common among forestry stakeholders.
Provincial officials have yet to weigh in directly, but Forestry Minister Bruce Ralston's office issued a general statement last month reaffirming commitments to sustainable practices under the Old Growth Strategic Review. That ongoing process, launched in 2020, aims to defer logging in high-value areas while addressing economic concerns—a delicate balance that this fire may complicate further.
For the seven displaced workers, the wait is agonizing. Many in Lake Cowichan, a town of about 3,500 where logging is a way of life, face uncertainty as the investigation unfolds. RCMP urge anyone with information to come forward, promising a thorough examination of all angles. As the smoke clears, questions linger: accident or arson? Coincidence or calculated strike? Only time and evidence will tell.
In the meantime, the Caycuse Main road remains a symbol of division—paved with timber profits on one end, protest signs on the other. The story of this fire is far from over, a microcosm of British Columbia's enduring struggle over its forests.