The province says it’s ready for wildfire season, having hired 68 more permanent staff and increased compensation for critical staff including wildland firefighters, pilots, and aircraft maintenance engineers.
The hirings are the latest in a series of investments to battle wildfires, including filling 100 permanent staff positions in 2024 and 2025, and spending more than $500 million to purchase six new Canadian-made De Havilland DHC-515 waterbombers.
“We are ready to protect communities from wildland fires, with all the necessary resources in place,” Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris stated on March 31. “Our government stands behind the wildland firefighters, pilots, and support staff that make up our frontline response and we will ensure they have everything they need for the upcoming fire season.”
Ontario fire crews battled more wildfires in 2025, responding to 643 that burned some 597,654 acres during wildfire season, which runs between April 1 and October 31.
Approximately 50% of all wildland fires are caused by humans, the Ministry of Natural Resources stated, offering tips on how folks can reduce the risks, including:
