The Montreal Fire Service said the overall count of fire incidents across the city did not change during 2025, but fires that started outside of structures rose modestly. The department’s annual review, presented by spokesperson Richard Liebmann, highlighted that the stability in total incidents contrasts with a slight uptick in off‑building blazes.
Data collected by the Service shows that while the number of residential, commercial and industrial fires remained at the same level as the previous year, incidents classified as occurring outside of buildings increased enough to be noted in the report. The rise is not large, but it marks the first upward movement in this category after several years of decline.
Liebmann linked the increase to the growing presence of homeless encampments throughout Montreal. He explained that temporary shelters and makeshift camps can create conditions where fires start unintentionally, leading to more off‑site incidents. The department’s monitoring system records each fire’s location and type, allowing officials to identify trends such as this one.
The Service continues to track fire patterns on an annual basis, using the information to allocate resources and develop prevention strategies. Although the total number of fires stayed flat, the shift in where fires are occurring has prompted a review of outreach and safety measures aimed at vulnerable populations.
Officials emphasized that the stable overall figure reflects ongoing fire‑prevention efforts, while the slight increase in off‑building fires underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where homeless encampments are present. The report will be incorporated into the city’s broader public‑safety planning for the coming year.
The Montreal Fire Service plans to keep publishing yearly updates to inform residents and policymakers about fire‑related risks and the effectiveness of current prevention programs.