By David Wiwchar

Parmar tours local mills and wildfire

Forest Minister tours Alberni operations

Aug 26, 2025 | 9:17 AM

BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar was in Port Alberni on Monday, touring the Mount Underwood fire site as well as local mills.

Parmar said local logging played an important role in helping control the massive wildfire.

“The Mount Underwood fire could’ve been a lot worse if there wasn’t those breaks from those logging roads,” he said. “Having a chance to fly over and see where the fire stopped because the logging road was there, or there was a cutblock speaks to the role of the forest sector for managing our forests.”

Parmar celebrated the recent purchase of the former Coulson Mill by Fraserview Cedar Products after the SAN Group fell into bankrupcy.

“Fraserview is an outstanding company here in British Columbia,” he said. “A multigenerational family involvement, excited about the opportunities for seeing a revival of the forest sector here in Port Alberni is going to create good paying jobs for people and bring some life into this town that has provided so much to British Columbia as well.”

One Goal Short

Clippers lose game of lead changes in Cowichan Valley

5h ago

Leading the North

Generals and Buccaneers battle for North Division lead in the VIJHL

19h ago

early detection

'Mammograms save lives:' mobile screening clinic coming to Oceanside

22h ago

Parmar then met with Domtar / Catalyst managers, before sitting down with Mayor Sharie Minions.

He congratulated the BC Wildfire Service, ACRD and local First Nations for working together to battle the Mount Underwood fire – one of the largest forest fires in Island history.

(photo from Ravi Parmar’s Facebook page – “Beginning the journey up to Port Alberni. This is a forestry community, and one that’s experienced an intense wildfire season. I’m here not only to see the folks leading the local sector, but those who’ve lead the fight against wildfire.”)