In July, about 200 fires burned across northern Ontario. More than a dozen communities, many of them remote First Nations, had to leave their homes because of the danger.

First Nations groups said they were warned too late, or not warned at all, about the fires. They have asked for a public inquiry into the province’s response, but Harris has not promised to hold one.

The government is spending more than $20 million to upgrade two major wildfire attack bases in northwestern Ontario. The upgrades are meant to help firefighters act faster and protect nearby communities.