Ontario invests $20 million to upgrade wildland firefighting bases

The Ontario government is investing over $20 million to upgrade the Vedette and Socket Lake Forward Attack Bases. These facilities are strategically located in Northwestern Ontario to facilitate the deployment of fire crews, equipment, and aircraft.

Construction is currently underway to modernize both bases, with a target completion date ahead of the 2027 fire season. The upgrades will include new staff accommodations, improved operational facilities, updated electrical and plumbing systems, and new technologies designed to enable quicker resource deployment.

In addition to these two sites, the province is planning upgrades for other wildland fire management facilities, including those in Ranger Lake and Ogoki. Officials noted that recent wildfires in Northwestern Ontario highlighted the necessity of strong preparedness and partnerships with municipalities and First Nation communities.