Wildland Fires:
Ontario’s world-class fire and emergency response crews are actively working alongside partners to respond to active fires across the province.
Several hundred highly trained Ontario wildland firefighters are being supported with access to around 120 aircraft that are in the air or ready to deploy, including 80 helicopters and waterbombers.
Our government extends its sincere thanks to all fire crews, pilots, support staff, emergency responders, and municipalities across the province supporting evacuees.
We work every day to protect communities and keep people safe. Since 2018, we have invested nearly $1.5 billion in wildland firefighting, more than doubling annual base funding from $70 million to $150 million.
Additionally, we are making a historic investment of nearly $650 million to strengthen Ontario’s fleet of firefighting aircraft and have increased compensation for our heroic frontline staff, including firefighters and pilots.
Ahead of this fire season, we added nearly 70 new permanent fire personnel positions, on top of the 100 positions added last year.
We will continue to dedicate all necessary resources to responding to these fires and keeping people safe.
Evacuations:
Our government’s top priority is to keep people safe.
The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has been fully activated and working closely with all Northwestern Ontario community leadership, municipalities, and the federal government to support the safe evacuation of those at risk from wildland fires and wildland smoke.
The Ministry of Emergency has opened a reception centre at Fort William Gardens Arena in Thunder Bay. The centre provides sleeping accommodations, food, water, pet accommodation, hygiene kits and medical support for evacuees from unincorporated areas who have self-evacuated.
We have also requested the federal government be ready to deploy the Canadian Armed Forces as we work through a fast-moving and evolving situation.
Impacted residents should follow the direction provided by local authorities and follow any evacuation orders.
For up-to-date information, visit Ontario.ca/forestfires or call the Northeast Region at 1-888-220-7242 or the Northwest Region at 1-888-258-8842. For questions regarding evacuation orders, please contact the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Sara.Escarraga@ontario.ca.