Modernizing wildland fire management in Ontario

Introduction

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is responsible for protecting and managing the province’s diverse natural resources to support Ontario’s economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and quality of life for the people of Ontario. To achieve its mandate the ministry oversees and implements key activities to protect people and communities from natural hazards like wildland fires.

Modernizing wildland fire management in Ontario

With large and challenging wildland fire events in recent years, and continued rapid changes to our environment and society, the government of Ontario is taking steps to modernize wildland fire management. Among other changes and challenges influencing wildland fire risk, Ontario is expected to face milder winters and a significant rise in the number of extreme heat days per year which leads to drier and more extreme fire conditions and may contribute to longer and more challenging fire seasons

We are starting by proposing a vision statement to guide continued modernization of wildland fire management in Ontario. Our proposed wildland fire management vision is: An Ontario that works together, through all sectors, to reduce the risks and minimize the unwanted impacts of wildland fires, creating safer and more resilient communities.

With this new wildland fire management vision, we are aiming to create a modernized approach to wildland fire management in Ontario that would:

1. Strengthen collective responsibility for wildland fire management
2. Improve awareness of wildland fire risk
3. Expand prevention and mitigation of wildland fire
4. Enhance preparedness and response to wildland fire
5. Strengthen rules and consequences for non-compliance with wildland fire (forest fire) laws

To achieve these five objectives, the Ontario government has initiated a wildland fire program and policy review and is considering changes to the Forest Fires Prevention Act to strengthen community preparedness and improve prevention and mitigation.

For more information on the proposal, please read the attached Modernizing Wildland Fire Management in Ontario: Discussion Paper.

Regulatory impact analysis

Through this posting, we are seeking input on anticipated benefits or costs for municipalities and industry that may be impacted by a potential change being considered. This input will help the Ministry to better understand the real costs or cost savings. Once the directions and approaches have been determined, there will be a second environmental registry posting and a regulatory impact analysis.