Ban on open-air fires imposed in certain Quebec regions
Posted May 28, 2025 9:48 am.
Last Updated May 28, 2025 10:04 am.
The northern regions of Quebec are subject to a ban on open-air fires in or near wooded areas due to conditions conducive to forest fires.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests, this measure is intended to limit the risk of forest fires with the return of good weather.
Until further notice, it is therefore prohibited to light open-air fires in certain areas of Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mauricie, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Gaspésie.
The Ministry reminds that failure to comply with this order, which came into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, is punishable by a fine.
An open-air fire is defined as “any fire that burns freely or that could spread freely.”
Campfires, fireworks, and the use of instruments capable of producing sparks are prohibited. Fires lit in designated facilities equipped with spark arrestors are still permitted.
There is currently only one active forest fire in Quebec—on the North Shore—and it is under control.
However, since the beginning of the week, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) has been issuing a “call for vigilance” for regions located in the northern part of the province.
In these areas, the SOPFEU expects the forest fire danger level to gradually increase from “high” to “extreme” over the next few days.
“In spring, dead vegetation—such as leaves and brush—dries out quickly under the influence of wind and sun. They then become highly flammable. “Vigilance is therefore required as soon as good weather arrives,” SOPFEU explained on social media Tuesday.
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— SOPFEU (@SOPFEU) May 28, 2025
Pour connaître les territoires touché ????https://t.co/TafXURUDnk pic.twitter.com/mCVjZrhUD7
Since the start of the protection season, 96 forest fires have affected 106.8 hectares in the intensive protection zone. The average for the last 10 years, at the same time, is 183 fires for a burned area of 199.1 hectares.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
