Wildfires: smog warnings lifted, but not in Abitibi and Northern Quebec

Smog warnings were lifted Thursday by Environment Canada in urban areas of Quebec, including Montreal and Gatineau.

However, the federal agency maintained the warnings and special air quality bulletins for several municipalities in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions, which remained the areas most affected by forest fires.

This was notably the case for the municipalities of Rouyn-Noranda, Amos, Val-d’Or, Matagami and Chibougamau, even though the territory of some of them was not threatened by the advancing flames.

The forecast shows no significant precipitation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec for several days.

The smell of smoke and cloudy skies easily seen in Montreal on Tuesday gave way to better conditions on Wednesday. In the evening, rain began to fall.

Environment Canada says to expect sun and clouds for Montreal on Thursday and a high of 18°C – with a chance of daytime and evening showers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 8, 2023.