Open forests fires banned in several Quebec regions

Wildland firefighters work in a forest in Normetal, Que., in a June 11, 2023, handout photo. Quebec is on the offensive in its battle against wildfires as gusty winds fuel a huge blaze in northeastern British Columbia, forcing more evacuations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-SOPFEU, Caroline Boyaud.

By The Canadian Press

Posted June 4, 2024 9:15 am.

Last Updated June 4, 2024 2:43 pm.

As the heat continues in several regions of Quebec, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests has banned open forests fires.

Alongside the Society for the Protection of Forests (SOPFEU), the ministry enforced the ban at around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning for most of northern Quebec.

Some of the affected include Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie and Chaudière-Appalaches.

It will be prohibited to light an open fire – which is defined as “any fire burning freely, or which could spread freely” – in a forest or near a forest, with a fine ranging between $500 and $50,000.

Campfires, fireworks, and instruments capable of producing sparks will also be banned.

Fires lit in installations, which are equipped with spark arresters, will still be permitted.

Due to the hot and dry weather, SOPFEU estimates that fire dangers will reach the “extreme” level on Tuesday in the banned regions.

“Rising temperatures, the absence of precipitation and low relative humidity levels will lead to increased fire intensity and spreads in the coming days,” said SOPFEU in a press release.

SOPFEU is asking the population to be vigilant during outdoor activities.

Since the start of the protection season, SOPFEU has recorded 134 fires which has affected 145.1 hectares of forest and 81 per cent is attributable to human activity.

Currently, there are two active fires.

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The banned areas are:

NORTHERN QUEBEC: Jamésie, Eeyou Istchee.

NORTH COAST: Haute-Côte-Nord, Manicouagan, Sept-Rivières, Caniapiscau, Minganie (excluding Anticosti Island).

SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN: Le Domaine-du-Roy, Maria-Chapdelaine, Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, Saguenay, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay.

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE: Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi-Ouest, Abitibi, La Vallée-de-l’Or.

OUTAOUAIS: La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau (portion located north of latitude 47°30′).

LAURENTIDES: Antoine-Labelle (portion located north of latitude 47°30′).

MAURICIE: La Tuque (portion located north of latitude 47°30′).

LANAUDIÈRE: Matawinie (portion located north of latitude 47°30′).

NATIONAL CAPITAL: Charlevoix-Est.