Premier Doug Ford informed reporters on Monday morning that almost 200 wildfires are currently active across northern Ontario, with many out of control, spreading further throughout the province.
Fires now cover an area of 735,000 hectares, according to Ford, an increase from the 650,000 hectares reported last week.
“It’s moving quickly,” Ford stated during a news conference in Toronto, accompanied by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources.
The news conference will be streamed live in this article at 10:30 a. m. ET.
The bulk of the fires are concentrated in the northwest region where provincial authorities noted that 51 are classified as out of control as of Sunday. For the most recent updates on wildfires in the province and their locations, click here.
Even for those far away from the fires, their impact has become hard to overlook.
Last week smoke spread from northern regions into other areas like Toronto, turning skies orange and causing air quality levels to briefly rank as the worst globally.
This smoky situation wasn’t confined to Ontario or Canada; U. S. President Donald Trump along with other Republican lawmakers pointed fingers at Canada last week for polluting American air due to poor forest management practices.
Ford urged U. S. politicians to cease complaints and instead offer assistance just like Canada has done during natural disasters in the U. S.
WATCH | Ford responds to U. S. criticism, threats over Canada’s wildfires:
Ford calls U. S. wildfire threats ‘unacceptable’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized U. S. politicians and Trump’s administration for their threats and criticisms regarding Canada’s management of wildfires amid this ongoing crisis. He reminded them how Canada has previously lent water bombers to assist during similar wildfire emergencies in the U. S., assuring that Canada would continue helping when needed.
The wildfires have led over two dozen communities-including ten First Nations-to evacuate recently across northern Ontario.
Leaders from First Nations such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Anishinabek Nation have expressed frustration towards the province for its slow response to these fire incidents.
The Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (Collins First Nation) was completely destroyed by flames last week with leaders claiming they were not warned about impending wildfires ahead of time.
The Ministry of Natural Resources emphasized on Friday that ensuring public safety along with firefighting personnel is its top priority while providing necessary resources for addressing active wildland fires and safeguarding communities along with critical infrastructure.
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Ford calls U. S. wildfire threats ‘unacceptable’
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized U. S. politicians and Trump’s administration for their threats and criticisms regarding Canada’s management of wildfires amid this ongoing crisis. He reminded them how Canada has previously lent water bombers to assist during similar wildfire emergencies in the U. S., assuring that Canada would continue helping when needed.
The wildfires have led over two dozen communities-including ten First Nations-to evacuate recently across northern Ontario.
Leaders from First Nations such as Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Anishinabek Nation have expressed frustration towards the province for its slow response to these fire incidents.
The Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (Collins First Nation) was completely destroyed by flames last week with leaders claiming they were not warned about impending wildfires ahead of time.
The Ministry of Natural Resources emphasized on Friday that ensuring public safety along with firefighting personnel is its top priority while providing necessary resources for addressing active wildland fires and safeguarding communities along with critical infrastructure.
Ontario accused of low-balling wildfire budget
The government under Ford faces scrutiny concerning its budget allocation for wildfire responses. This year Ontario earmarked $150 million for emergency firefighting despite nearly doubling expenditures during last year’s challenging wildfire season. Ford maintained that whatever funds are necessary will be spent this year on fighting wildfires irrespective of budget constraints; he announced last week that Ontario would be acquiring eleven aircrafts specifically for wildfire response efforts.</P However, experts point out that Ontario’s worsening wildfire seasons-exacerbated by climate change-make it crucial to have adequate funding upfront rather than reacting afterward makes managing them more difficult says Noah Freedman who leads forest fire crews in Ontario. “What we should be doing is proactively preparing for these situations,”he said while speaking with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning Monday.“We’ve been aware of these issues for a long time.”</P .</P “We seem to be going through this every single year,” Ford acknowledged Monday adding it might be time reconsider national strategies around managing wildfires.” Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated last week his government remains closely coordinated with provinces and municipalities vowing additional support whenever necessary. WATCH | Ford defends Ontario budget to fight wildfires:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1784564196_625_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/ Ontario budget to fight wildfires nearly half what province spent last year</P . As discussions continue regarding evacuation assistance requests made by Ontario toward Ottawa; Premier Doug Ford counters critiques about inadequate budgeting related directly tied down concerning current wildfire occurrences.<P CBC’s Lane Harrison examines financial aspects surrounding these claims Freedman asserts even though ongoing promises indicate readiness yet believes politically driven rhetoric overshadows true mismanagement within emergency firefighting budgets. He explained efforts put forth attempting raise concerns were met disappointment described having felt “blackout curtain.” Last year’s unannounced visit made by Minister Dunlop also reportedly lacked engagement addressing firefighters’ pressing needs at their facility upon inspection tour conducted there instead focused only on photo opportunities alongside helicopters stationed nearby without substantial dialogue held between them all involved I believe there’s no meaningful conversation happening , no desire expressed actually listen regarding pressing matters faced daily operations. Just mere optics featured front line personnel operating equipment “freedman remarked.” The office representing Dunlop has been contacted seeking feedback about ongoing matters addressed above mentioned mentionedSource link
