The 2024 wildfire season in Ontario has come to a close, marking a chapter that combines caution and optimism for the future of Canada’s forests. While we witnessed a quieter year within Ontario’s borders, with 475 fires impacting around 90,000 hectares of land—well below the 10-year average—our fire management teams proved invaluable on a national scale. As wildfires become an increasingly frequent threat, Ontario is showing leadership and setting a collaborative example in strengthening Canada’s wildfire resilience.
Each summer now brings with it a near-inevitable wildfire season that poses serious risks to ecosystems, communities, and public health. Recent events, such as the devastation in Jasper National Park, are painful reminders of how quickly wildfires can ravage our natural landscapes, sometimes leaving scars that will last for generations.
Graydon Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, rightly expressed pride in Ontario’s FireRangers and support staff, who not only protected communities at home but also provided vital assistance in provinces facing severe wildfires. This year alone, Ontario deployed more than 780 personnel and 14 aircraft to Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland, and other provinces, lending strength and skill to firefighting efforts across Canada.