Ban on open fires issued in northwestern Quebec

Quebec's open fire ban ended on June 13, 2026. (Pexels)

Quebec’s Domestic Security Ministry has banned open fires and outdoor work in the northwest of the province.

The directive, issued by the ministry in collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), came into force on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Businesses, particularly those in the forestry sector, are also advised to suspend their work in the forest on Wednesday between midday and 8 p.m.

No fewer than 30 fires were active on Tuesday afternoon in the “northern zone,” i.e. the area north of the 5th parallel. According to Stéphane Caron, manager of prevention and communications at SOPFEU, the very dry weather conditions in the James Bay area are believed to be the cause of these fires.

“According to our weather forecasts, by Thursday or Friday, the area where restrictions are in place may extend slightly eastwards, but will still be in the northern sector,” said Caron, who added that the fire ban will remain in force “certainly until the end of the week.”

SOPFEU issued a warning earlier in the day for the northwestern region. It says it is monitoring the situation closely, as several new fires could break out over the coming days. The fire danger index there is “extreme,” according to the SOPFEU website.

According to the agency, 204 fires have been reported in the intensive protection zone since the start of spring, 99.5 per cent of which are believed to be caused by human activity. In the northern zone, 38 forest fires are reported to have already occurred.

SOPFEU reiterates that it only fights fires in the northern zone that threaten infrastructure or communities. On Tuesday, firefighters were battling several fires that were threatening hydroelectric infrastructure.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 23, 2026.