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More than 900 Ontario forest fires fought in 2010

Between April and October this year, Ontario FireRangers fought fires ranging from small bush fires to much larger scale fires, such as fires in Wawa, which covered 2,051 hectares, and Red Lake, which covered 4,427 hectares. Ontario also provided personnel, aircraft and equipment to help fight fires for fellow Canadians in the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and in the Northwest Territories.

For 125 years, Ontario’s forest fire fighting program has been protecting Ontarians and the province’s valuable natural resources from forest fires. In 1885, Ontario introduced a team of dedicated staff ready to serve and protect people, their property and the province’s forests – a legacy that continues today with the Ontario FireRanger crews.

As part of mutual support arrangements across the country, 750 Ontario staff provided 10,000 days to help British Columbia with its difficult fire season between July and September – the third largest deployment of resources in Ontario’s history. The province has made it easier to report forest fires by calling a toll-free number: 310-FIRE (3473).

“I am proud of Ontario’s long history of protecting Ontario families and communities from the dangers of forest fires,” said Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources. “It is comforting to know that we have the people, skills and experience to meet the challenge and are also able to help our neighbors across Canada.”