Ontario’s provincial Liberal Party leader is joining the official opposition leader in calling for more forest fire-fighting funding.
In a visit to Thunder Bay, Bonnie Crombie highlighted some concerns her party has with the way the Ford government is operating.
“I’d like to point out that seven years ago, Doug Ford cut the funding to emergency services, including forest fire protection and forest fire preparedness,” explained Bonnie Crombie. “We’re still feeling the effects today.”
As of Thursday morning, there are 18 active forest fires in the region.
None of the fires are considered out of control, and six fires have been called out over the last 24 hours.
The fire hazard in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas is currently low.
However, west of Thunder Bay, there are moderate fire hazard levels in the Red Lake, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout areas.
The majority of the Kenora and Fort Frances Fire Management Areas are currently considered to be at a high fire hazard level.
“Even in the south, we are seeing the effects of forest fires, but they are acutely felt here (in northwestern Ontario),” added Crombie. “We need to make a significant investment.”
“This is just one more sign that climate change is real and we need to prepare for it, and we need to make sure the adequate amount of funding is allocated to make sure we are prepared.”
