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 north, the measure will change starting on June 18, at 8 p.m.

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

NORD-DU-QUÉBEC : Jamésie (991) – south of latitude 51º and west of longitude 74º, Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou) (993) – west of longitude 74º.

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) – north of latitude 47°, Pontiac (84) – north of latitude 47°.

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

LANAUDIÈRE : Matawinie (62) – north of latitude 47° and west of longitude 74º.

Map of the affected territory

There are currently 21 fires in activity in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 393 forest fires have affected 7056,6 hectares. The average for the last 10 years at this time of the year is 214 fires for an area of 10 114,3 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.