Ontario’s 2025 Wildland Fire Season Concludes with Over 600 Fires Managed Provincewide
Province adds 68 permanent firefighting and support roles and invests in new waterbombers ahead of 2026 season
TORONTO — Ontario’s 2025 wildland fire season has officially ended, with 643 fires recorded between April and October and 597,654 hectares burned across the province. Despite a challenging start to the season, coordinated efforts by Ontario’s FireRangers, aviation teams, municipalities, and Indigenous communities helped protect lives and property through rapid and effective response operations.
“I am grateful to every single member of our wildland fire response team, the heroes that dedicate their lives to protecting Ontario during fire season,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “From battling fires on the ground to coordinating evacuations by air, our government is proud of the FireRangers, pilots and those behind the scenes who demonstrated bravery and dedication while responding to fires in Ontario and across the country.”
The 2025 season saw Ontario extend vital support to other jurisdictions across Canada. Over 400 fire personnel and six aircraft were deployed to assist firefighting efforts in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, as well as internationally in Minnesota.
Ontario’s 2025 wildland fire season has officially ended. 🔥
Thank you to our FireRangers, pilots and all behind-the-scenes staff for your hard work and dedication to protecting Ontario.
Learn more: https://t.co/8B9N7XAIlP@ONforestfires pic.twitter.com/yxqROVw8D8
— Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (@ONresources) November 3, 2025
Strengthening Ontario’s Wildland Fire Program
As the season comes to a close, the province is investing in long-term preparedness. Ontario will add 68 new permanent firefighting and support positions ahead of the 2026 fire season and invest over $500 million in six new De Havilland DHC-515 waterbombers, which are expected to join the fleet in the early 2030s.
“Each season brings lessons that help us strengthen our response and preparedness,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Alongside fire crews and emergency responders, Ontario Corps volunteers assisted with evacuations and shipped vital equipment to affected communities. By working together, we showed we are ready to face whatever challenge comes our way.”
These new investments build on Ontario’s broader modernization of its wildfire management strategy. The province previously created 100 permanent positions in 2024 and 2025 and invested $64 million jointly with the federal government for advanced firefighting tools, training, and modern suppression equipment.
By the Numbers
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Fire season duration: April 1 – October 31, 2025
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Total fires: 643
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Total area burned: 597,654 hectares
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2024 comparison: 480 fires and 90,000 hectares burned
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10-year average: 712 fires and 210,234 hectares burned
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Additional support received: Fire crews from British Columbia and Wisconsin; firefighting aircraft and equipment from Quebec, Alberta, and New Brunswick
Ontario’s 2025 fire activity was above average in terms of hectares burned but remained well below the 2023 record-breaking totals experienced across Canada. Officials attribute the province’s relatively contained losses to improved early detection systems, community prevention programs, and enhanced training for fire response personnel.
Legislative Updates and Future Planning
In May 2025, the province re-introduced the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025, which, if passed, will strengthen Ontario’s approach to wildfire prevention and management. The legislation aims to enhance risk awareness, improve emergency preparedness, and establish stronger compliance measures related to wildland fire prevention.
Ontario’s next legislated wildland fire season will begin on April 1, 2026, with provincial crews on standby to respond to late-season flare-ups as needed.
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