Nearly 200 wildfires are currently active in northern Ontario as the Ford government faces mounting criticism regarding its handling of these fires.
Earlier today, Premier Ford visited Thunder Bay alongside several provincial ministers and the mayor to share updates on the wildfire situation.
The largest fire right now is known as Thunder Bay 36, which has reached an area of 318,812 hectares. That’s nearly three times the size of Hamilton.
During events like this, reporters such as Jon Thompson provide essential coverage. Thompson, a journalist with Ricochet Media who resides in Thunder Bay, was located west of the ongoing wildfires in northwestern Ontario today.
“The situation is so fluid that I’m struggling to take things to press,” Thompson said. “Because by the time I’m ready to go, the situation has changed again.”
With close to 200 fires raging in the area, according to Thompson, Thunder Bay 36 alone illustrates just how significant this year’s wildfire season has become.
“This will be what we remember when we look back to the summer of 2026,” said Thompson. “To give you a sense of size, the average for all fires over ten years in Ontario is 210,000.”
The extensive fire is burning within Wabakimi Provincial Park.
Thompson notes that communication between northern communities and the provincial government has always had its challenges.
“Northern Ontario struggles with a political culture and disconnect with southern Ontario in every way, all the time,” Thompson said. “This is that, turned up to 11.”
The province is currently facing criticism from those who argue it isn’t doing enough to support communities with evacuation efforts.
“The communications they are getting from Ontario are insufficient for them to be able to make decisions they’re making, and Ontario is making it incumbent upon them to make those decisions,” Thompson said.
: A look at the hundreds of wildfires burning from coast to coast in Canada
Premier Ford was in Thunder Bay today where he reaffirmed his government’s commitment towards battling these fires.
“If it’s $500 million this year, so be it,” Ford stated. “I’ve made clear direction to our ministers; I don’t care what this costs.”
He emphasized he would spare no expense when it comes to keeping Ontarians safe while criticizing his opponents.
“It’s absolutely disgusting, in my opinion, that they want to politicize and play games when people’s lives are on the line,” Ford said.
Last year alone saw $271 million spent by the Ford government on emergency forest firefighting – double its base budget of $135 million. This year’s base budget increased slightly to $150 million; however NDP Leader Marit Stiles claims that’s still not sufficient.
“There were cuts made and this premier continues to act like this is – every year it’s like a great big surprise that this happens,” Stiles remarked yesterday.
Thompson hopes communities across northern Ontario won’t get caught up in political disputes over these issues.
“I don’t want to put scandal on this,” Thompson stated. “This may be a time for that where you are but where we are right now should focus on coming together and figuring out what needs attention.”
Still hopeful that political discussions can lead toward meaningful changes, he added:
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“That matters,”(he concluded)“and I believe will prompt a real investigation into what we’re doing well.. hopefully some public engagement.”
“When we look back on this moment.. particularly because there’s been political damage.. communities in their entirety are being lost..”
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