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wildland fire

Sol Mamakwa at QP Oct 27 2026

Demand for public inquiry into 2026 wildland fire season raised at Queen’s Park

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The opposition is still seeking answers to this past summer’s wildland fires in northwestern Ontario.

They, and others, have been critical about how well the Ministry of Natural Resources was prepared.

Two First Nations and several lodges were destroyed by fires this past summer.

Thousands of people, many from First Nations communities, were forced to evacuate, in some cases, without the immediate support of the province.

Speaking at Queen’s Park, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says a public inquiry is needed.

“Many more communities were forced to evacuate to places all over Ontario,” says Mamakwa.

“This government let the north down. Will the premier launch a public inquiry into the government’s emergency response to the wildfires?

Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris says a review of operations internally is underway, but deflects the demand by outlining the investments the government has made to wildland firefighting

“We have increased the wildland firefighting budget by 114%,” says Harris.

“Under the previous Liberal-NDP coalition, that budget was stagnant, stagnant for years. It was one of the first things we did when we came in and we took government, was increase that budget because we knew it was important.”

Harris adds that the province has also ordered six new CL515 water bombers and is in the process of acquiring five new helicopters.

Mike Harris Jill Dunlop

Early assessment of wildfire property damage underway in northwestern Ontario

More than 1,100 people continue to be housed in temporary accommodations because of this summer’s wildland fires in northwestern Ontario.

Evacuation centres, such as those set up in Thunder Bay and Dryden, remain active.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Jill Dunlop says they continue to make sure the evacuees’ needs are being met.

“It’s ensuring that all the wraparound supports are there for a community at that time to ensure that it’s not just the clothes on their back when they’re coming into a community, but that they have those services and supports available for them during that difficult time,” says Dunlop.

Dunlop did not provide a timeframe for when the evacuees may return home.

The wildland fire situation is easing.

Several large fires remain active but have not experienced much growth in recent days.

Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris says it has allowed the Ministry to start taking stock of structures that were destroyed in the fires.

Minister Mike Harris says an easing of the situation is allowing them to do aerial assessments.

“We’ve been doing a lot of those assessment flights as we can over the last little while now that things have calmed down a little bit,” says Harris.

“Of course, we don’t want to deploy resources away from the frontline fire efforts. So with things calming down a little bit, we’ve had that ability.”

Harris says they have also started early work to restore a road linking to a landing used to access the remote community of Collins.

“We’ve had MNR engineers out there to do some work on that first bridge, see what we can do to try and expedite construction and get folks being able to get back there and assess that community,” says Harris.

He adds they are working to get camp owners, tourist lodges and others back in to assess damages to their properties.

On Wednesday, the MNR lifted an Implementation Order that was in effect for the fire around the Lac Des Milles Lac area.

That order had restricted public access to forest roads and lakes.

While the fire remains listed as not under control, the MNR indicates it is no longer a public concern.

Riverview fire department

UPDATE: Wildfire burning in Riverview

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The Department of Natural Resources, Riverview Fire and Rescue, and Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Department are battling an out-of-control wildfire.

According to New Brunswick Wildland Fire Watch, it was reported at around 5:30 pm Tuesday.

As of Wednesday morning, it was 10 percent contained and had consumed five hectares.

The fire is located on Pine Glen Road, just past Stoney Creek Road and has reportedly consumed five hectares.

A social media post from the Town of Riverview states that there is no imminent threat to the town, but residents are asked to stay away from the area so emergency crews can work safely.

Oxdrift grass fire Apr 26 2026

Wildland fire tackled west of Dryden

Firefighters were called out Sunday to tackle a wildland fire along Highway 17, west of Dryden.

The blaze broke out near Kellar Road at around 12 noon.

Members of the Oxdrift Fire Department, along with Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Rangers, responded.

The Oxdrift Fire Team reports that the fire was fast-moving and driven by strong winds.

Highway 17 was closed for about an hour to allow firefighters to deploy lines to protect a nearby residence and contain the fire from getting larger.

The MNR lists the size of fire reaching no more than 0.1 hectares.

Officials suspect the fire was caused by an arcing hydro pole.