BAN ON OPEN FIRES IN OR IN THE VICINITY OF A FOREST

The ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs has decided to ban open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest because of the current conditions prevailing in Nord-du-Québec. This decision, taken in collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), therefore results in a ban that takes effect starting on July 3 at 8:00 p.m.

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

 NORD-DU-QUÉBEC :

• Jamésie (991) – north of the latitude 51º,30’
• Eeyou Istchee (993) – Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Whapmagoostui, Wemindji, Waskaganish, Kuujjuarapik.

 To view the map of the affected territory, go to: https://sopfeu.qc.ca/en/

 There are currently 2 fires in activity in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 421 forest fires have affected 7 672,3 hectares. The average for the last 10 years at this time of the year is 262 fires for an area of 12 398,7 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.