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

Québec, June 7 2024 —The Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts will modify the ban on open fires in or in the vicinity of a forest as of June 8, at 8:00 a.m., because of the current conditions. This decision was taken in collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).

The prohibition on open fires applies in the following territory: 

 NORD-DU-QUÉBEC : Jamésie (991) – pour sa portion au nord de la latitude 53°30 et à l’ouest de la longitude 75°30, et pour sa portion au nord de la latitude 50° et à l’est de la longitude 75°30, Eeyou Istchee (Mistissini et Chisasibi) (993).

CÔTE-NORD : La Haute-Côte-Nord (95), Manicouagan (96), Sept-Rivières (971), Caniapiscau (972), Minganie (981) – excluant l’île d’Anticosti.

SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN : Maria-Chapdelaine (92) – pour sa portion au nord de la latitude 49º, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay (942) – pour sa portion au nord de la latitude 49º.

BAS-SAINT-LAURENT : La Matapédia (07), La Matanie (08), La Mitis (09), Rimouski-Neigette (10), Les Basques (11), Rivière-du-Loup (12), Témiscouata (13), Kamouraska (14).

GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE : Avignon (06).

There are currently 13 fires in activity in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 171 forest fires have affected 1 430.7 hectares.

This prohibition 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. We all need to cooperate to protect our forests.