Fire Chiefs calling for creation of national wildfire fighting service
Posted Jun 10, 2025 04:46:33 PM.
Last Updated Jun 11, 2025 01:04:16 PM.
The early start to Canada’s wildfire season has renewed calls for the creation of a national service to coordinate firefighter response across the country.
The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) said 2023 year was the worst year for wildfires on record. In total, 46 million acres burned, and the fires were recorded in all 10 provinces and territories.
This year is shaping up to be worse, given that the fires started about a month and a half earlier than in 2023.
Ken McMullin, President, CFAC, has been leading the charge for the creation of a national forestry firefighting organization. He was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said police and paramedics have a natural connection to the government and its coordination resources through national security and national health care, but firefighters don’t.
“Nine times out of ten, we’re not included. A national fire administration would ensure there is the involvement of fire chiefs with expertise on a variety of topics in the right place at the right time, in federal government.”
McMullin would like to see a federal agency created that could better manage the country’s forest firefighting assets and coordinate with local and volunteer firefighters so they can be deployed strategically, efficiently and effectively at a moment’s notice.
According to CFAC, there are 5,500 forestry firefighters across the country, along with approximately 108 helicopters and waterbombers in service. They believe that is not enough and significant investments in equipment would be needed.
McMullin said the idea of a national service has been presented to all levels of government, and he’s baffled as to why no politicians have taken up the fight.
“Nobody thought this was a bad idea. I think the challenge is, who is ready to pick this torch up and take it across the finish line, is what we’re still struggling with today,” he said. “There is a legacy piece to this. It’s never been done before. I believe that there is an economic benefit to the country, and we know there is a security benefit to the country.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ latest data shows the country invested between $800 million to $1.4 billion over the last ten years, protecting residences, businesses and critical infrastructure from wildfires.
