I use firewood to heat my home and for the past several years I have been buying it from local woodcutters. This year it seems I cannot buy firewood at any price. When I ask why the response is that the government of Yukon is not making any wood available.
What kind of government creates a firewood shortage when a large part of its constituency relies on firewood for heat during our long, cold winters? Especially when you consider we live in the boreal forest. There is no shortage of trees in southern Yukon.
In fact, in the Haines Junction area there is an abundance of beetle-killed trees. So-called experts tell us these beetle-killed trees represent a serious fire hazard and should be removed. Why won’t this government open up these areas to allow local woodcutters access?
I cannot believe this government is so stupid that they would create this firewood shortage for no reason.
Maybe there is some truth to the rumour that Yukon Energy wants all the beetle-killed trees for their own use. After all, the government would probably make more money if Yukon Energy bought the rights to all those trees compared to what they make from commercial harvesting by local woodcutters.
Maybe there is some other reason the government is unwilling or unable to provide. All I know is I cannot buy any firewood and winter is coming.
Name withheld by request
Whitehorse