Wildfire Safety

Coastal BC forests are where we live, work and play.

Every summer, the risk of wildfire impacts our communities and our operations, and with climate change, that risk is becoming more severe and occurring more often.

Mosaic takes extensive measures to reduce the risk of wildfire, and we have comprehensive plans and response procedures that we activate when wildfires occur.

Keeping an Eye on the Weather – Remotely

Using weather data to guide our operations is key to wildfire prevention. Weather, including temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and wind speed, significantly impacts if wildfires start, how they spread, and how difficult they are to contain.

Mosaic has installed remote, state-of-the-art weather stations across our operations, and we do our own monitoring and forecasting of wildfire risk. When weather data indicates wildfire risk is high or extreme, we have the ability to restrict access to our private forest lands.

Reducing Wildfire Risk

Mosaic’s fuel management program is another important tool in preventing wildfire. We manage fuels (potentially combustible material in the forest) in various ways, including chipping, on-site burning, and the sale of firewood cutting permits. Every year, Mosaic donates funds collected through the sale of firewood cutting permits and doubles it through a matching contribution to a deserving community organization.

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Rapid Response

The most critical element in controlling a wildfire once it has ignited is rapid response and getting resources and water on the fire before it spreads. As private landowners, Mosaic has invested in its own wildfire management capabilities, together with our contractors, to ensure our forests and neighbours are protected.

During wildfire season, Mosaic works in coordination with the Provincial Wildfire Response program to conduct:

•   Daily aerial and ground-based surveillance

•   Helicopter-based rapid attack

•   Staging of 100, all-terrain fire trucks

•   Stocking of equipment depots complete with pumps and hoses throughout Mosaic’s lands

•   Training crews in wildfire initial attack, serving as a critical first line of defence

Preventable Wildfires

When wildfire risk increases, Mosaic may restrict access to its forest lands to reduce the risk of wildfire. While Mosaic’s not-for-profit public campsites can remain open, sometimes with campfire bans, recreational access to Mosaic’s backcountry is closed, dependent on the province’s wildfire danger rating.

Did you know that in Coastal BC, most wildfires are caused by people? Person-caused wildfires are preventable wildfires. Restricting public access when wildfire risk increases is one of the ways Mosaic protects our forestland assets, the safety of our neighbours, and the values our communities rely on, including the health of watersheds on our private land. When wildfire risk increases, we also modify our operations–altering work schedules to run equipment at night when the wildfire risk is lower or ceasing operations altogether when necessary.

The good news is that person-caused wildfires are preventable. And the easiest way to fight a wildfire is to prevent it from starting.

What You Can Do

  • Never have a campfire during a campfire ban

  • If a campfire is allowed, ensure it is 100% extinguished

  • Report wildfires immediately

  • Learn how to protect your family and your property from wildfire. Visit FireSmartBC.ca

  • Spread the word! Let your friends and family know what to do if they see a wildfire, and how to learn about wildfire prevention

  • Visit BCWildfire.ca or download the free BC Wildfire Service mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices

TO REPORT security concerns on Mosaic private forest land, please call the Mosaic Security 24hr Emergency Line: 250-927-6828.

TO REPORT a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire in B.C., please call
1 800 663-5555 or *5555 from a cell phone as soon as possible.