Coastal 2025 Wildfire Season Underscores the Importance of Mitigation

With 34 fires on the land base this year, Mosaic Forest Management expands mitigation efforts to keep communities and forests safe.

NANAIMO, B.C. -November 3, 2025: Following Vancouver Island’s devastating wildfire season, Mosaic is focusing on ways it can help reduce the chances of fires starting or limit their damage.

Mosaic responded to 34 wildfires in 2025—a 19% increase over the previous year’s 26 fires. This year, all five of the most significant blazes were human-caused. The first concerning fire ignited near Campbell River in early May, making 2025 one of the earliest wildfire starts for the company.

The Mount Underwood wildfire near Port Alberni burned almost 2,400 hectares of Mosaic lands—roughly the size of the city of Duncan—destroying new forests and conserved old growth while causing community evacuations and road closures.

Throughout the season, Mosaic’s fire crews worked with BC Wildfire Service, contractors, First Nations and emergency responders to protect communities and forests.

“The commitment and expertise shown by our partners and staff was extraordinary,” said Steve Mjaaland, Senior Manager, Forest Protection at Mosaic. For the Mount Underwood fire he notes, “Many had never experienced a wildfire of this magnitude and intensity on the Island before. It’s a situation we’ll continue to face with climate change.”

The 2025 wildfire season reinforces the need for Mosaic to scale up proactive measures. In 2026, the company’s efforts will include:

• Planning: In partnership with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), strategize for urban interfaces, using tree thinning, commercial pruning and mapping solutions.

• Prevention: Leverage recreational access management, public education, and FireSmart BC tactics along with abatement strategies.

• Collaboration: Work with BCWS and partners to enhance readiness. Support communities and Regional Districts in their wildfire planning.

• Response: Continue to invest in equipment, technology, and comprehensive staff and contractor training.

• Recovery & sustainability: Balance salvage recovery with environmental safeguards and long-term forest health through forest regeneration strategies.

The case for mitigation is also gaining scientific backing. A recent study in Science (October 2025) corroborates the long-term financial savings from favouring mitigation over suppression, pointing to examples where proactive treatments in the Rockies saved tens of millions in losses during a 2023 wildfire.

Mosaic also calls on the public to help reduce fire risk. Said Mjaaland, “with 90% of Vancouver Islanders living within 50 kilometres of our land base and thousands recreating on it daily, wildfire prevention becomes a shared responsibility.”

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