Listen to this article
Approximately 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
Ontario’s political leaders are urging summer residents in Muskoka not to become complacent about the risk of wildfires as dry conditions set in mid-summer.
Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s minister of the environment, conservation and parks, told reporters at an unrelated news conference Wednesday that property owners in Muskoka County should prioritize fire safety.
“We can see how things can get out of control quite easily,” McCarthy said.
“We must support each other both in response and in preparation and preventative maintenance.”
In the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the fire danger rating was set at high on Monday but dropped to moderate on Thursday.
Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, says property owners in Muskoka County must prioritize fire safety. (Susan Goodspeed/CBC)
The minister said there were no immediate concerns, but he believed summer residents should take normal dry season precautions and follow local and municipal guidelines. Common precautions include assessing the home for fire hazards, maintaining vegetation around the home, and using fire-resistant building materials.
McCarthy’s comments come as wildfires rage across northern Ontario.
There are 146 active wildfires reported in northwestern Ontario. Of those fires, 53 are uncontrolled, five are contained, seven are under control and 81 are being watched. The region’s largest wildfire, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control and is burning at more than 318,000 hectares.
There are also 40 active wildfires reported in northeastern Ontario. Of these fires, four are uncontrolled, four are under control and 32 are under surveillance.
Wildfire damage is captured from the air in Collins First Nation, a small remote Ojibwa community located in northwestern Ontario, approximately 250 km north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
It’s always best to be prepared, says Gravenhurst mayor
Heidi Lorenz, mayor of Gravenhurst, Ont., said preparedness is always the best course of action.
Lorenz recommended that homeowners use the FireSmart Canada website, which outlines specific actions property owners can take to protect their homes, and download the Voyent Alert app to stay informed.
Terry Glover, mayor of Lake of Bays Township, said short-term rental hosts should also inform their guests.
“We do talk to the people who license these AirBnbs to make sure that they are signing documents that protect all of us, and that they need to pass that knowledge on to the people who are renting,” Glover said.
Shown here is a view of Bays Lake in the Muskoka Regional Municipality. (Muriel Draisma/CBC)
According to the Muskoka Fire Chiefs Association, the following rules apply for the township’s current fire danger rating:
- Daytime burning from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. is permitted with a valid outdoor fire permit.
- Small, limited fires are permitted in the evening from 6:00 pm until 8:00 am the following morning without a permit.
“Use extreme caution when handling all open flames,” the township said in a news release Monday.
“Always have enough water and tools on hand to extinguish a fire if necessary, and never leave a fire unattended.”