A call for caution | As summer temperatures rise, so does the fire danger index

With hot, dry weather forecast over the next few days, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) is issuing a call for caution to the public.

The arrival of summer weather conditions increases the risk of more intense fires in many regions of Quebec. Over the next few days, a ridge of high pressure will settle over the province, bringing hot, dry weather to much of Quebec. These weather conditions will result in higher fire intensity and spread indices over the next few days.

At this time of year, people are more likely to enjoy outdoor leisure activities, such as fishing and forest excursions. In this regard, SOPFEU reminds us of the importance of properly extinguishing campfires, taking extra care with smoking materials in the forest, and properly cleaning the hot parts of ATVs.

Many residents are also taking advantage of the fine weather to do some landscaping. Residents are asked to be particularly vigilant when it comes to using fire, to avoid burning waste or residual materials, and to comply with their municipality’s by-laws on open fires and domestic burning. 

Since the start of the protection season, 134 fires have been set, affecting 145.1 hectares (ha) of forest, 81% of which are attributable to human activity.