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Ontario contributes additional $100M to battle wildfires

Aug. 9, 2018 - Ontario's Ford government has committed an additional $100 million to fight forest fires across the province.

Since April 1, Ontario has experienced an escalated fire situation, with approximately 120 wildfires currently burning in parts of central and northern Ontario.

"This money will pay for continued fire response efforts, which includes supplies and equipment used to suppress the fire and the work of support personnel and MNRF fire rangers," Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Jeff Yurek said. "It will also fund further assistance from our out-of-province and international partners so we can continue to fight the fires aggressively on the ground and in the air."

Almost 1,000 firefighters from Ontario are currently being assisted by about 480 firefighters and support staff, as well as aircraft and other equipment, from other provinces, Parks Canada, American states, and Mexico.

"Our number one priority is the safety of the public and the protection of communities and private property," Yurek said.

Ontario is an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire management. Annually, the government provides base funding of almost $70 million to deliver front-line operations for forest fires.

Ontario will continue to dedicate as many resources as necessary to fight the wildfires across the province and help ensure the safety and protection of communities and private property, during one of the worst fire seasons in over a decade.

For more information on the wildfires, please visit ontario.ca/forestfire.

August 9, 2018  By Canadian Forest Industries Staff