What does the high rise in forest fires mean this year?

According to data from the Ministry of Natural Wealth of Ontario, over the same period from April to July, the number of forest fires in the province increased from 126 in 2024 to 261 in 2025, more than double.

Right now, four new fires were discovered in the northwest of the province at the end of the afternoon on June 30.

According to Chris Marchand, fire agent for the northwest fires, the rise in forest fires of 2025 is not a phenomenon particularly surprising.

The seasons of fires are in fact very variable from one year to the nexthe explains.

He underlines that the whole is due to weather conditions that it is difficult to predict.

We have experienced an extended period of several weeks without minimum precipitation, very hot temperatures, low relative humidity and strong winds. When these conditions are met, this can lead to extreme fire behavior which can be difficult to containadds Mr. Marchand.

Variations between the seasons

The information agent also recalls that the average over 10 years of the total number of fires is 250.

He wants to be reassuring about what is observed this year.

With 257 fires, we are just a few fires above this average. Compared to the spring of last year, the activity was clearly intensified. But we are quite close to the long -term averagehe said.

Chris Marchand indicates that what is observed are variations between the seasons.

For example, 2021 was the most active fire season in Ontario history, followed in 2022 by the quietest season ever recorded. We therefore note extreme variations in terms of number of fires and fire activities from one season to anotherhe notes.

It all depends on the time it has in the spring and as summer approaches.

Red Lake 12

For its part, the largest fire in northwestern Ontario this year, Red Lake 12, is still not under control. It extended over 195,670 hectares.

Jonathan Scott, fire information agent, in particular that of Red Lake 12, says that the intensity of the fire has dropped.

During the weekend, between Saturday and Monday, there was an average of 25 mm to 35 mm of rain. On Red 12, with rain and a higher relative humidity, the behavior of the fire was lowhe said.

Currently, 23 firefighters can be found on the Red Lake 12 site. They are also supported by 12 helicopters.

According to the last update on forest fires, 33 fires are active in the northwest region. Of these eight are not controlled, two are contained, eight are mastered and 15 are under surveillance.