A protest against logging by members of the New Post and Wahgoshig First Nations in northern Ontario is threatening to escalate.

Community leaders predict a “serious confrontation” if Abitibi-Consolidated goes through with plans to breach a Native blockade set up to prevent clear-cutting by Abitibi loggers on traditional lands east of Cochrane — a sacred burial ground and spiritually-significant area. Montreal-based Abitibi-Consolidated is the world’s largest forest-products company.