Feds, province invest $64M in Ontario's wildland fire program

Ontario's wildland fire program is getting a $64-million boost from both the federal and Ontario governments.

The funding will allow the province to hire and train key personnel and will also fund the purchase of new support equipment and technology, including fuel systems, tankers, trucks and software systems.

“Our government is making critical investments in our wildland fire program — on the ground and in the air — to keep Ontario at the leading edge of wildland firefighting,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources, in a news release issued today. “As an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire safety, we are preparing for more frequent and complex fire seasons to protect our communities now and in the future.”

To help keep communities safe this fire season and in the future, Ontario is also:

• Contracting the services of four additional medium helicopters to support fire suppression, increasing Ontario’s total number of contracted helicopters to 13.
• Ensuring support for communities impacted by fires and floods by contracting the services of an additional plane to assist with community evacuations, if needed.
• Creating more than 100 additional permanent positions to build leadership and experience within our wildland fire program. These new year-round positions will support improved career path opportunities for fire rangers and other staff.
• Investing $5 million to help attract and retain wildland firefighting staff. This investment recognizes the critical services of wildland firefighters and pilots with an incentive/retention payment of up to $5,000 for the 2024 fire season.
• Supporting wildland firefighters and investigators with improved access to benefit entitlements and eligibility for the same presumptive benefits as municipal firefighters and fire investigators.

Below is the full news release: 

The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing $64 million to strengthen the province’s wildland fire program. The funding program will enhance Ontario’s firefighting abilities, allowing the province to hire and train key personnel and fund the purchase of new support equipment and technology, including fuel systems, tankers, trucks and software systems.

“Our government is making critical investments in our wildland fire program – on the ground and in the air – to keep Ontario at the leading edge of wildland firefighting,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources. “As an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire safety, we are preparing for more frequent and complex fire seasons to protect our communities now and in the future.”

To help keep communities safe this fire season and in the future, Ontario is also:

• Contracting the services of four additional medium helicopters to support fire suppression, increasing Ontario’s total number of contracted helicopters to 13.
• Ensuring support for communities impacted by fires and floods by contracting the services of an additional plane to assist with community evacuations, if needed.
• Creating more than 100 additional permanent positions to build leadership and experience within our wildland fire program. These new year-round positions will support improved career path opportunities for fire rangers and other staff.
• Investing $5 million to help attract and retain wildland firefighting staff. This investment recognizes the critical services of wildland firefighters and pilots with an incentive/retention payment of up to $5,000 for the 2024 fire season.
• Supporting wildland firefighters and investigators with improved access to benefit entitlements and eligibility for the same presumptive benefits as municipal firefighters and fire investigators.

“I am so proud of Ontario’s highly trained and skilled members working in wildland firefighting,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, “and as we strengthen our forestry sector, it's crucial to leverage these skills to ensure the safety and resilience of Ontario communities affected by wildfires. Our training programs and investments are essential in supporting all communities that depend on our wildland firefighters."

With the end of this fire season approaching, Ontario continues to look to future seasons and other ways to improve and modernize our equipment, personnel, and air fleet.

 Quick Facts

• To date this year, there have been 450 wildland fires, with 89,395 hectares of forests burned.
• Ontario participates in agreements with its provincial, territorial, federal, and international partners that allow for the sharing of personnel, equipment, and aircraft between agencies during periods of escalated wildland fire activity.
• So far this year, Ontario has deployed staff, equipment, and aircraft to partners in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories to support their wildland fire management operations.

 Quotes

"To protect our communities, we must prioritize investing in wildland fire equipment and personnel during and in between fire seasons. These investments are essential for building resilience and ensuring we are prepared for any challenges that may arise in the future. By taking action now, we are strengthening our response capabilities and supporting those who work tirelessly to keep us safe."

- Ross Romano
MPP, Sault Ste. Marie

"Our government understands the importance of investing in people, training, and technology to keep our communities safe, practiced and prepared. These proactive investments will help ensure communities across the province have the resources and equipment they need to prepare for future wildland fire seasons."

- Trevor Jones
Associate Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response

"As climate change intensifies, so too do wildfires. To keep Ontarians safe for future wildfire seasons, the federal government is partnering with the provinces and territories to provide the support they need to protect lives and communities. This joint investment with the Government of Ontario highlights our commitment to working together to mitigate and prepare for future wildfire challenges through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program."

- Jonathan Wilkinson
Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"By investing in modern fire-fighting technology and supporting wildland firefighters, we can better protect the people of Northern Ontario. The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities fully supports the Ministry’s efforts to enhance wildland firefighting across the province."

- Danny Whalen
President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

"Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association fully endorses the government’s investments for wildland firefighting. Funding for wildfire management is crucial for Indigenous and Northern communities. By building capacity and resources, we can ensure the safety of Northern Ontario and protect our natural landscapes."

- Wendy Landry
Mayor of Shuniah and President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipalities Association