How We Manage Fires

Updating the Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario

Forest fires are an important part of the environment in which we live. Natural forest fire releases nutrients and promotes new growth, restores ecosystems and plays an important role in the health and biodiversity of Ontario’s ecosystems.

In 2004, MNR released the current Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario (the Strategy). The Strategy established direction for how the MNR responds to forest fires across Ontario. The Strategy outlines the areas where greater potential for damage requires more intensive suppression effort and where fire can continue to play an important beneficial role.

It has become clear that the environment for forest fire management is changing. There are increasing signs that shifts in climate and forest conditions are likely to result in more difficult fire seasons. Expanding economic activity in the Far North is likely to increase fire occurrence, in turn this new economic activity may be threatened by fire in the future. At the same time, all government programs have been asked to ensure expenditures are managed to support a balanced provincial budget. These increasing demands cannot be met by simply increasing spending.

To balance these competing pressures, the MNR is reviewing the current Strategy, as well as other fire management regulations and policy. These reviews are intended to result in revisions and changes that will address the challenges of delivering an effective and efficient forest fire management program over the next decade.

A discussion paper has been prepared which outlines proposed elements of change. These proposed changes build upon the direction established in the 2004 Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario and include additional discussion regarding the role fire prevention may play in meeting future challenges.

The intent of the paper is to engage the public, stakeholders, other government, and Aboriginal peoples in the discussion and to gather feedback on the proposed changes to how forest fires will be managed in Ontario.

You are invited to be a part of the conversation on shaping the future of the forest fire management in Ontario.