Amendment on the ban on open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest: partial lift

The ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs has decided to amend the ban on open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest. This decision, taken in collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), therefore results in the decrease of the area targeted by the ban on open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest. Given the evolution of the weather conditions in the south and in the north, the measure will change starting on June 16, at 8 p.m.

The areas still affected by this measure are the following RCMs and territories:

NORD-DU-QUÉBEC : Jamésie (991) – west of 74º, Eeyou Istchee, Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji) (993) – west of longitude 74°.

SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN : Le Domaine-du-Roy (91) – west of longitude 74°.

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE : Témiscamingue (85) – north of latitude 47°, Rouyn-Noranda (86), Abitibi-Ouest (87), Abitibi (88), La Vallée-de-l’Or (89).

MAURICIE : La Tuque (90) west of longitude 74°.

OUTAOUAIS : La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau (83) – au nord de la latitude 47°, Pontiac (84) – north of latitude 47°.

LAURENTIDES : Antoine-Labelle (79) – north of latitude 47°.

LANAUDIÈRE : Matawinie (62) au north of latitude 47°.

Map of the affected territory

There are currently 14 fires in activity in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 377 forest fires have affected 7081,2 hectares. The average for the last 10 years at this time of the year is 208 fires for an area of 4763,6 hectares.

Everyone must collaborate to make sure that the ban on open fires in the forest is respected. This measure is intended to limit the risk of forest fires. Pursuant to section 239 of the Sustainable Forest Management Act (chapter A-18.1), any person who contravenes an order prohibiting open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest or any other action taken by the Minister is liable, in addition to the payment of the costs, to a fine.