THUNDER BAY – The province is investing $64 million into Ontario’s wildland fire program, including creating 100 year-round positions for fire rangers and other staff.
The funding, announced Wednesday, will enhance Ontario’s firefighting abilities with additional personnel and the purchase of new equipment and technology.
“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 MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, in a news release. “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."
The funding includes contracting four additional medium helicopters to help with fire suppression, bringing the total number of contracted helicopters in the province to 13.
An additional plane will also be contracted to help with evacuations when necessary.
More than 100 new permanent positions will be created and $5 million will be used to help recruit and retain wildland firefighting staff. An incentive/retention payment of up to $5,000 is also available for the 2024 fire season.
Wildland firefighters and investigators will also have improved access to benefit entitlements and eligibility “for the same presumptive benefits as municipal firefighters and fire investigators,” said the provincial news release.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association fully endorses these investments for wildland firefighting, said president Wendy Landry.
“Funding for wildfire management is crucial for Indigenous and Northern communities,” said Landry. “By building capacity and resources, we can ensure the safety of Northern Ontario and protect our natural landscapes."
So far this year, there have been 450 wildland fires in Ontario with more than 89,000 hectares of forests burned.
