Healthy forests can help protect us from disasters

Read the whole article in the May 24th 2023 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood.

Andria Scanlan won’t ever forget the howling winds and trees that came crashing down around her house that December afternoon in 2018.

“We have a long-distance view from Channel Ridge, and I could see and hear the gusts rolling in and watch the trees bending over almost to the ground before they would split and crash like thunder,” she said. “It was terrifying. Power was out for 11 days, and our carport was destroyed. Thank goodness no one was hurt.”

Many islanders remember that severe windstorm that hit Salt Spring and caused widespread power outages, downed trees and property damage. Also seared into memories is the atmospheric river of 2021 that washed out many roads, and the extreme heat dome in the summer of 2021 that saw many people suffering under sweltering temperatures. 

Read the whole article in the May 24th 2023 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood here.