Ontario Announces $650 Million Aircraft Purchase as Wildfires Surge to 191 Active Blazes

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a C$650 million ($465 million) purchase of 11 new aircraft, including five helicopters and six water bombers, to combat a severe wildfire crisis. As of July 18, 2026, the province faced 191 active blazes, concentrated in the remote northwest. The fires have burned 650,000 acres, triggering widespread evacuations of First Nations communities, orange air quality alerts across dozens of towns, and extensive service closures in Thunder Bay.

Northwestern Ontario wildfire spread

• ▪Wildfires in Ontario have burned 650,000 acres in 2026, compared to 600,000 acres at the same point in 2025.
• ▪As of July 17, 2026, Ontario had 191 active wild land fires, with 81 considered not under control and 88 being observed.
• ▪The wildfires in Ontario are concentrated in the remote northwest of the province, where airplanes are the only mode of transport.

Evacuation orders for communities

• ▪Multiple communities, including Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, received mandatory evacuation orders.
• ▪Ontario provincial authorities issued an evacuation order for areas near the Fort Frances 14 fire, which exceeded 55,000 hectares.
• ▪Federal Minister Eleanor Olszewski approved a request to evacuate more than 600 residents of Eabametoong First Nation starting July 19, 2026.

Provincial firefighting response

• ▪As of July 18, 2026, Ontario deployed more than 155 ground crews and over 80 aircraft to combat the active wildfires.
• ▪Firefighters from Alberta Wildfire and aerial support from the Yukon arrived in Ontario to assist local crews with suppression efforts.
• ▪Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a C$650 million purchase of five new helicopters and six water bombers to fight wildfires.

Air quality health alerts

• ▪Orange air quality alerts were issued for multiple Ontario locations, including Armstrong, Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, and Kenora.
• ▪Yellow air quality warnings were implemented for Manitouwadge, Hornepayne, Geraldton, and Longlac as wildfire smoke spread.

Service disruptions and closures

• ▪The City of Thunder Bay closed all outdoor pools, beaches, splash pads, and public golf courses due to poor air quality.
• ▪The Thunder Bay District Health Unit suspended routine client-facing services and closed its Balmoral Street office on July 17, 2026.