Number of Ontario forest fires doubled compared to same time last year
Ontario has already experienced double the number of forest fires this year compared to the same six months in 2022.
According to provincial data, there have been 167 forest fires so far in 2023.
Between January 1 and June 7 of last year, there were 78.
The data also reveals this is more than the 10-year average of 157 fires.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Much of the province has been placed within a Restricted Fire Zone – which prohibits “open air burning” within the area – as wildfires rage across Ontario and Quebec. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said there were 54 active fires, with 29 labelled as “not under control.”
Smoke from these fires has severely impacted air quality throughout the province, with Environment Canada saying it presents a “high risk”.
Speaking in the legislature, the New Democratic Party bombarded the government with questions related to climate change, saying this summer is “probably the most severe fire season our province has ever experienced.”
Premier Doug Ford, in return, said he was shocked the opposition party would politicize wildfires. The government is prepared to handle the wildfires, Ford said without addressing the opposition’s climate change concerns.
“We have 142 fire ranger crews, which are the best in the world, ready to go right across our province and we have a fleet of 28 aircraft that fight these fires, including nine heavy water bombers,” he said, noting the majority of fires are started by lightning or campfires.
“My number one goal is to make sure the communities and the people are safe here in Ontario.”
A map of Ontario's Restricted Fire Zones as of June 7, 2023.
However, a union representing fire rangers says they are short-staffed to deal with the wildfire season.
“There's a recruitment and retention problem that's directly related to the types of choices that the government has made about the lack of investment in fire Rangers over the years,” JP Hornick, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), told CTV News Toronto.
Hornick said she is seeing a 25 per cent reduction in the number of crews available compared to last year. Short contracts and low wages are contributing factors, she added.
“Even in sheer numbers, there's just not enough people to do this work. But there's also not enough people who are experienced and can lead this work,” Hornick said.
"These are people who are in some of the most dangerous fire situations you can imagine, and they're paid less than municipal firefighters."
The Minister of Natural Resources said that Ontario is able to call for reinforcements from other provinces and countries should it need to.
“We have four water bombers from Minnesota assisting us right now and we’re thankful for that because we all work together,” Graydon Smith said.
Back in May, Ontario sent just over 40 firefighters to Alberta as the province struggled to control an “unprecedented” start to its wildfire season.
With files from the Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.