Mosaic Forest Management Clarifies Industrial Road Access Following Bamfield Worksite Disruption

NANAIMO, B.C. – October 9, 2025: Mosaic Forest Management today addressed community concerns about alternative road access following an incident on October 5th that halted safety work at the Bamfield Main Road worksite.

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has assumed control of the Bamfield Main Road repairs under Section 8 of the Transportation Act, with Mosaic providing technical support. The project is targeted for completion by month’s end.

The Brenner Main/Museum Main corridor, also damaged by the Mount Underwood wildfire, remains restricted to limited Mosaic crews and one industrial user with pre-existing access. The route is not open to the public and no permits are being issued for public travel.  Mosaic has identified significant hazards including fire-damaged trees and ongoing rockfall, even in calm weather. Industrial users on these roads have specialized training, radio-equipped vehicles, and proper safety gear.

“We understand people are frustrated seeing what appears to be a drivable road,” said D’Arcy Henderson, Senior Vice President, Timberlands and Chief Operating Officer. “But we’ve identified dangerous trees and boulders that could fall at any time. Making the Brenner corridor safe for public use would require the same weeks of intensive work currently underway on Bamfield Main. We cannot split our resources and double the timeline.”

As a radio-controlled industrial road, the Brenner Main/Museum Main corridor presents multiple hazards including fire-weakened trees, unstable slopes, single-lane sections, steep grades with sections under five metres wide, and active industrial traffic.

Chief John Jack, Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nations, also emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety as work continues to restore access between communities: “Safety must be our top priority as we work toward reconnecting our communities. While we understand the frustration, we cannot open unsafe routes. We need to remain patient and allow all the technical experts to complete the necessary work on Bamfield Main. We thank everyone for their continued patience.”

With the rainy season beginning, wildfire damage has increased landslide risk on both routes. The Brenner/Museum corridor will trigger frequent weather-related closures during fall and winter, making it unreliable as an alternative.

The provincially supported detour through Youbou remains the only alternative assessed as safe for public travel. Recognizing the inconvenience to Anacla and Bamfield residents, Mosaic is contributing $2,000 per week to support Lady Rose Marine Services’ complimentary travel between Port Alberni and Bamfield.

The Mount Underwood fire—one of five major human-caused wildfires on Mosaic lands in 2025—burned almost 2,400 hectares of forestland including conserved old growth.

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