2024 wildfire season was less active in Ontario compared to recent years

Ontario’s wildfire season has officially come to an end and this year was less active than recent ones.

The provincial government said that more than 475 fires were recorded and nearly 90,000 hectares burned in 2024.

That’s compared to the 10-year average of 694 fires and 201,781 hectares burned.

“While the fire season was less active than in recent years, the province’s fire crews were kept busy helping other Canadian provinces,” a provincial news release noted.

Ontario helped out in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories.

The government said it also has worked to improve and modernize equipment this season.

“Ontario is partnering with the federal government to invest a total of $64 million to mitigate and prepare for future wildland fire challenges,” the release said.

“The province is contracting more aircraft, creating new permanent positions and providing firefighters and investigators with the same access to benefits as municipal counterparts.”