2025 Wildland Fire Season comes to an end

Tim Brody - Editor

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario’s fire crews, aviation services and support staff responded to 643 fires between April and October of 2025 with 597,654 hectares burned. 
Chris Marchand, Fire Information Officer, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, shared that the Northwest Region saw a total of 435 fires burning 560,234.9 hectares of the provincial total of 597,654.5. The Sioux Lookout fire management area had 88 confirmed wildland fires in 2025.
The Ministry of Natural Resources informed that in 2024, Ontario recorded 480 fires and nearly 90,000 hectares burned. The ten-year average for Ontario is 712 fires and 210,234 hectares burned.
Marchand shared that, in 2025, 11 communities in the northwest, including various cottage areas, were directly affected by wildland fires – resulting in restrictions or some form of evacuation. 
He noted, “We often speak of the volatility of spring fire hazard conditions and this year, from about the second week of May, provided a good demonstration of how a few weeks of dry weather, combined with high winds and low relative humidity can produce extreme fire behaviour in forests that haven’t greened up yet.”
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services confirmed in their Oct. 31 Northwest Fire Region report that, “No new wildland fires were confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of October 31. At the time of this update there are no active wildland fires in the Northwest Region. 
The wildland fire hazard is low across the Northwest Region.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources shared in a Nov. 3 news release, “While the 2025 fire season began with an early active start, the coordinated efforts of frontline staff, municipalities, Indigenous communities and firefighting crews ensured a rapid response to protect people and communities from wildland fires.”
“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.”
During the 2025 Wildland Fire Season, over 400 fire personnel and six aircraft from Ontario supported firefighting in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, as well as south of the border in Minnesota.
“As this year’s fire season ends, Ontario is now turning its focus to ensuring provincial fire crews are ready to respond next fire season. The government is strengthening and protecting the wildland fire program for the long-term by adding 68 permanent firefighting and support staff positions for the 2026 fire season and investing over $500 million to purchase six new De Havilland, DHC-515 waterbombers to expand Ontario’s air fleet, which are expected to arrive in the early 2030s,” the Ministry of Natural Resources shared.
“Each season brings lessons that help us strengthen our response and preparedness. 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,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Alongside fire crews and emergency responders, Ontario Corps volunteers assisted with evacuations and shipped vital equipment to affected communities. By working together, we showed we are ready to face whatever challenge comes our way.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources informed that the province will continue to build on recent investments in the wildland fire program. “This includes the 100 permanent positions that were filled in 2024 and 2025 and investing $64 million with the federal government for upgraded equipment, training and modern fire suppression tools.”
The wildland fire season ran from April 1 to October 31.