Ontario’s 2025 wildland fire season has officially ended, with provincial crews responding to 643 fires between April and October and more than 597,000 hectares burned.
Despite an early and active start to the season, coordinated efforts by fire crews, aviation services, municipalities, Indigenous communities and support staff helped protect people and property across the province.
“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.”
Ontario also sent more than 400 fire personnel and six aircraft to assist firefighting efforts in other provinces, including British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, as well as to Minnesota.
As the province shifts focus to next year’s response, the government announced it will add 68 permanent firefighting and support staff positions for the 2026 fire season. Ontario is also investing more than $500 million to purchase six new De Havilland DHC-515 waterbombers, 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. “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. By working together, we showed we are ready to face whatever challenge comes our way.”
The province continues to build on recent investments in its wildland fire program, including filling 100 permanent positions over the past two years and allocating $64 million jointly with the federal government for new equipment, training and modern suppression tools.
Ontario’s next fire season will begin April 1, 2026.
