Ontario Bolsters Wildland Fire Readiness Ahead of 2025 Season
Nearly 100 new permanent staff added as province gears up for April start
TORONTO – As wildland fire season approaches, Ontario says it’s more prepared than ever to protect communities across the province. Beginning April 1, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will deploy an expanded team of fire management professionals and new equipment to tackle threats from wildland fires, which are expected to remain a significant concern through October.
The government announced the addition of nearly 100 permanent staff positions to support the 2025 season. Last year’s joint $64 million investment with the federal government helped bolster the province’s firefighting capacity with updated trucks, emergency management software, and fuel systems.
“We are ready to protect people, communities and properties across Ontario from wildland fires,” said Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris in a statement. “Our brave and dedicated FireRangers, pilots and support staff are prepared to battle these fires and protect Ontarians.”
[2/2] Ontario is ready for this year’s fire season, thanks to strong partnerships, investments and the dedication of our emergency teams.
Thanks @ONFireChiefs for having me!
Looking forward to working together to keep our province safe.
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.#NEFEC #onpoli pic.twitter.com/g8EafqrGE7— Mike Harris (@mikeharrisjrpc) March 28, 2025
Ontario’s firefighting infrastructure now includes 14 fire management headquarters, 11 forward attack bases, two regional logistics centres, and a fleet of specialized aircraft. This system is responsible for monitoring and protecting more than 90 million hectares of public land.
In 2024, Ontario recorded 478 wildland fires, burning close to 90,000 hectares. While that was below the 10-year average in both number and area burned, the province is urging the public to take precautions — especially since roughly half of all wildfires are caused by human activity.
Residents are reminded to check the Forest Fire Info Map at ontario.ca/forestfires before starting outdoor fires and to follow provincial burning regulations, including keeping campfires small and extinguishing them fully before leaving the site.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop noted that resources are also being coordinated with municipalities and First Nations communities: “Together, we’re committed to ensuring we are resilient, ready and strong in the face of natural disasters and emergencies.”
The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs praised the government’s proactive stance. “Wildfires are becoming more intense and unpredictable,” said President Rob Grimwood. “Education, preparedness, and response measures need to adapt to protect Ontarians.”
Ontario continues to play a leadership role in national and international fire management partnerships, sharing personnel and resources when needed to combat surging fire activity across borders.
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