Abitibi-Témiscamingue

Weather conditions expected through Saturday will contribute to a significant increase in fire danger across several sectors of the region.

The absence of precipitation, moderate to strong northwest winds, low relative humidity and progressively warmer temperatures will contribute to the rapid drying of light fuels and dead vegetation.

Fire danger is expected to reach high to extreme levels over the weekend before possible precipitation arrives from the southwest beginning Sunday.

In springtime, dead vegetation found in fields and around residences quickly becomes highly flammable when conditions are dry and windy.

Four fires occurred in the region over the past week. Most of these fires were human-caused, particularly related to domestic debris burning.

Due to generally cloudier and more humid conditions today, fire danger is expected to remain low to moderate across the region over the next few days.

The return of drier weather along with moderate to strong winds expected by Thursday could nevertheless contribute to a gradual increase in fire danger in several sectors, particularly where snow cover has completely disappeared.

In springtime, dead vegetation found in fields and around residences quickly becomes highly flammable when conditions are dry and windy.

A drier air mass accompanied by moderate winds will move across the region from west to east today and tomorrow, leading to a gradual increase in fire danger, particularly in areas where snow cover has completely disappeared.

Dead vegetation found in fields and around residences may dry out quickly under the combined effects of sunshine, wind and low relative humidity.

Rainfall and thunderstorms are still possible over the weekend with the arrival of a new low-pressure system from the west, which could temporarily reduce fire danger levels.

No new fires have occurred in the region over the past week due to lower fire danger and cooler, wetter weather conditions.

However, fire danger is expected to increase over the next few days with the return of sunnier and windier weather, particularly in areas where the snow cover has completely disappeared. Rainfall expected toward the end of the week should then help reduce the risk.

At this time of year, dead vegetation found in fields and around residences dries out rapidly and becomes highly flammable during periods of nice weather.

Rainfall in the middle of the week helped reduce the fire danger index, particularly in the Témiscamingue sector. SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists is closely monitoring the disappearance of the snow cover in order to gradually expand the area where the index is published.

At this time of year, the fire danger index can change rapidly. Dead vegetation, abundant in fields and around homes, dries out under the effect of sun and wind. These light fuels become highly flammable and increase the risk of wildfire during periods of warm, dry weather.

Warmer, drier, and sunnier conditions are expected in the coming days, which will help accelerate the melting of the remaining snow cover, particularly in the northern part of Abitibi.

In the Témiscamingue region, where the snow has already melted in many areas, the fire danger is now present and is expected to increase in the coming days.

In the spring, dead vegetation dries out quickly under the influence of the sun and wind. These light fuels, abundant in fields and around homes, then become highly flammable and increase the risk of fire during periods of good weather.

The region is still experiencing winter conditions, with snow well present in forested areas. The risk of wildfires there is therefore non-existent.