Wildfire 2025: A Year In Review

With the year nearly behind us, it’s an opportune time to look back on BC’s 2025 wildfire season with SNRGroup’s Resource Manager, Matthew Colley. Understanding the dynamics of this year’s wildfire season is a crucial part of preparing for the season ahead. So let’s dive in and explore the key issues surrounding the 2025 wildfire season.

Q. What factors influenced the severity and frequency of wildfires in 2025?
A. This year’s wildfire season was relatively mild overall. Early to mid-season rainfall played a big part in easing the drought conditions we were facing after last winter. However, as the season progressed, temperatures rose significantly, drying out much of the landscape, especially in historically fire-prone areas like the Cariboo. This led to a sharp increase in fire activity later in the season.

Q. How do the above factors compare to previous years?
A. These conditions created a slower start to the season compared to previous years. The early rainfall was a welcome change and helped mitigate the effects of the winter drought. That said, the sudden surge in fires toward the end of the 2025 season was unusual and more intense than what we typically see.

Q. How is climate change impacting SNRGroup’s approach to wildfire management and resource allocation?
A. We’re seeing clear signs that climate change is influencing wildfire behaviour, particularly with these late-season flare-ups. The transition from moderate to extreme fire danger is happening much faster now, sometimes within just a few days. This shift is pushing us to rethink how we allocate resources and respond to these emerging threats.

Q. How important is inter-agency cooperation between government agencies, non-profits, and private sectors in addressing the challenges of wildfire response?
Inter-agency cooperation is extremely important, especially during peak wildfire seasons when large portions of the country are affected. Organizations like the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), contractors and provincial bodies like the Ministry of Forests play a crucial role in coordinating resources, personnel, and information sharing. When these groups work together seamlessly, it enables a faster, more efficient response and ensures that support reaches the communities that need it most. In those high-pressure situations, it’s essential to saving lives and protecting property.

Q. What new strategies or technologies will Strategic deploy in future to predict, prevent, or mitigate wildfires?
A. Strategic is expanding its focus on proactive fire mitigation and prevention work to reduce the risk of wildfires before they start. We’re investing more in early-stage efforts, such as fuel management, community education, and risk assessments, to help stop fires from developing into major incidents. We’re also exploring advanced technologies like heavy-lift drones through our partnership with FireSwarm. These drones can be deployed quickly to suppress fires in their initial stages, allowing for immediate action before ground crews arrive. This combination of proactive mitigation and rapid-response technology is aimed at improving our overall effectiveness and resilience in wildfire management.