Ontario Allocates $64 Million to Enhance Wildland Firefighting

The Ontario government, in collaboration with the federal government, is allocating $64 million to enhance the province's wildland firefighting capabilities. This funding will be used to hire and train personnel, as well as to purchase new equipment and technology such as fuel systems, tankers, trucks, and software systems.

The initiative includes contracting four additional medium helicopters, bringing the total to 13, and an additional plane to assist with community evacuations if necessary. Over 100 permanent positions will be created to support the wildland fire program, providing career path opportunities for fire rangers and other staff.

An investment of $5 million is aimed at attracting and retaining wildland firefighting staff, offering an incentive payment of up to $5,000 for the 2024 fire season. Additionally, wildland firefighters and investigators will have improved access to benefit entitlements, aligning with those available to municipal firefighters and investigators.

To date, Ontario has experienced 450 wildland fires, affecting 89,395 hectares of forest. The province participates in agreements with various partners to share resources during periods of increased fire activity. This year, Ontario has deployed resources to several provinces and territories to aid in their fire management efforts.