Quebec issues open fire ban as wildfire risk rises in several regions

Fire risk is rated 'extreme' in a large portion of eastern Quebec, resulting in a ban on open fires in or near forests. Photo taken on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 near Lebel-sur-Quevillon. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

An open fire ban is in effect for areas near forests on Wednesday to limit the risk of wildfires, Quebec’s Public Security Ministry said.

There are currently eight active fires in the province — five in the Outaouais and three in the Laurentians.

The decision was made in collaboration with Quebec’s wildfire protection agency, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).

On its website, SOPFEU said fire danger indices are expected to rise, particularly in the Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Lanaudière, Laurentians and Montérégie regions.

“In these areas, summer-like temperatures combined with a lack of rainfall in recent days are drying out the forest. This situation is expected to persist for several more days,” the agency said.

Under the Fire Safety Act, anyone who violates an order banning open fires in or near a forest, or any other measure imposed by the ministry, is liable to pay costs and may also face a fine.

“Although fall has officially begun, the risk of wildfires remains significant. At this time of year, people often take part in outdoor activities such as hunting and hiking,” SOPFEU said.

The agency is reminding the public to fully extinguish campfires, avoid discarding cigarette butts on the ground and clean hot parts of ATVs used during forest outings.

Since the start of the fire protection season, 374 wildfires have burned 1,053.2 hectares in the intensive protection zone.

The 10-year average for the same date is 438 fires affecting 118,662.8 hectares.

The ban on open fires applies to the following areas:

• Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Témiscamingue (85), Rouyn-Noranda (86), Abitibi-Ouest (87), Abitibi (88), La Vallée-de-l’Or (89).
• Outaouais: Papineau (80), Gatineau (81), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais (82), La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau (83), Pontiac (84).
• Laurentians: Deux-Montagnes (72), Thérèse-De Blainville (73), Mirabel (74), La Rivière-du-Nord (75), Argenteuil (76), Les Pays-d’en-Haut (77), Les Laurentides (78), Antoine-Labelle (79).
• Lanaudière: D’Autray (52), L’Assomption (60), Joliette (61), Matawinie (62), Montcalm (63), Les Moulins (64).
• Montérégie: Vaudreuil-Soulanges (71).