Amid calmer Quebec forest fire season, province sends aid to Prairies

There have been wildfires across much of Canada this year, but Quebec has been spared for the most part, with only one active fire in the province currently.

One hundred firefighters from Quebec are heading to Manitoba and Saskatchewan to help battle the wildfires.

They are scheduled to depart Thursday morning from Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City and Val-d’Or Regional Airport.

About 60 firefighters are travelling to Manitoba, while 40 others are heading to Saskatchewan.

They will be accompanied by four representatives from the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).

Quebec is experiencing a relatively mild forest fire season compared to the rest of the country.

As of Monday, there were 121 active forest fires in Manitoba, 12 of which were considered out of control.

Additionally, approximately 13,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.

In Saskatchewan, as of Tuesday, there were 49 active forest fires, 14 of which were not contained.

Eleven communities are currently under evacuation orders.

Thursday’s deployment is in addition to measures put in place by SOPFEU and the Quebec government to assist other provinces.

Since the beginning of the summer, Quebec has sent, among other things, water bomber aircraft, pilots, technicians and hoses.

On Monday, two water bomber aircraft from the Government Air Service of Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility also took off to fight fires in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SOPFEU adds that it is able to assist other provinces without compromising its ability to keep an eye on the situation in Quebec, where high humidity levels and recent rainfall have stabilized things.

There is currently only one active fire in Quebec.

Since the start of the summer, SOPFEU has fought 148 fires in its intensive protection zone, compared to an average of 352 fires at this time over the past ten years.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 23, 2025.