Ontario fire crews respond to 643 fires during the 2025 season
During the 2025 wildfire season, which officially runs from April 1 to October 31, Ontario’s fire crews responded to 643 fires.
This year, about 600,000 hectares of forests burned compared to nearly 90,000 hectares in 2024 and 441,000 hectares in 2023. The ten-year average for Ontario is 712 fires and 210,234 hectares burned between April and October, although wildfires can happen outside of the official risk period.
“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.”
With the rest of Canada also experiencing a challenging fire season, Ontario lent its support with over 400 fire personnel and six aircraft to support firefighting efforts in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, as well as south of the border in Minnesota.
Ontario is now turning its focus to ensuring provincial fire crews are ready to respond next fire season. The government says it is strengthening and protecting the wildland fire program for the long term by adding 68 permanent firefighting and support staff positions for the 2026 fire season. It is also investing over $500 million to purchase six new De Havilland, DHC-515 waterbombers to expand Ontario’s air fleet, which are expected to arrive in the early 2030s.
“Each season brings lessons that help us strengthen our response and preparedness. I’m especially proud of how everyone came together to protect Ontario and help our neighbours across the country during this year’s wildland fires,” 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.”
The Ontario government says it will continue to build on recent investments in the wildland fire program. This includes the 100 permanent positions that were filled in 2024 and 2025 and investing $64 million with the federal government for upgraded equipment, training, and modern fire suppression tools.
The 2026 fire season will begin on April 1, 2026.
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