Preventive measures and restrictions
Why are measures needed?
To avoid the ignition of new forest fires, preventive measures and restrictions are put in place when conditions become conducive to the outbreak of fires. Such measures make it possible to reduce the risks linked to human activities and to preserve sufficient operational capacity to effectively combat ongoing fires. They are aimed at both industry and the public and vary depending on the situation.
Measures for the public
Open fires ban in or near forested areas
In times of increased fire risk, a ban on open fires may be imposed in or near forests. This preventive measure is used to prevent the outbreak of new fires and applies to any fire that can spread freely. It is prohibited to light a fire that burns freely or could spread freely. A campfire, fireworks, instruments producing flames or sparks are examples of open fires.
Fires in devices equipped with spark arresters and installed on mineral ground remain permitted. It is essential to verify municipal regulations, as some municipalities may adopt more severe restrictions.
What is an “open-air fire”?
An open-air fire refers to any outdoor fire that burns freely or could spread in a forested area, such as a campfire, fire pit, pyrotechnic device, spark, or flame produced by an object, except:
1° A solid-fuel fire pit or stove, lit in a designated installation and equipped with a spark screen with openings no larger than 1 cm, or a solid-fuel barbecue with a lid;
2° A fire pit, stove, or barbecue operating on gas, ethanol, or another non-solid fuel;
3° Anything used to ignite a fire in a fire pit, stove, or barbecue as described in points 1° and 2°.
“Lighting an open-air fire” means igniting or maintaining an open-air fire, or being present at a location where such a fire is lit.
Are outdoor fireplaces allowed?
If you have a fire pit equipped with a spark arresters (with maximum openings of 1 cm × 1 cm), placed on a paved surface or on cleared soil or gravel, you can continue to enjoy the warmth of a good fire, even during a ban on open-air fires.
WARNING: On municipal territory, it is essential to check local bylaws, as some municipalities may impose stricter restrictions.
Can I use a propane or ethanol fireplace?
Such devices are not considered to be installations capable of creating sparks. You can therefore continue to use them.
How can I tell if I am near a forest?
You are considered to be near a forest if your fire could reach the forest or surrounding dry vegetation, either through the spread of embers by the wind or by ignition of ground fuels (brush, grass, etc.).
When in doubt, it is safest to assume that you are near a forest.
What are the legal provisions regarding fire safety?
Under Section 150.9 of the Fire Safety Act (Chapter S-3.4), the Minister of Public Security may, when a forest fire or the risk of one requires it, order any measures necessary to protect public safety. This includes, among other things, prohibiting open fires in the territory determined by the Minister.
Section 155.1 of the same Act provides that anyone who contravenes a measure ordered by the Minister under Section 150.9 commits an offence and may be subject to a fine ranging from $500 to $50,000.
Who is responsible for enforcing the law?
Municipal police are responsible for enforcing the law and have the authority to issue tickets. If a municipal police service is not available, the Sûreté du Québec or the Indigenous police service takes over this responsibility.
To report a situation, you can contact your municipal police service using the non-emergency lines.
Section 155.1 of the Fire Safety Act (Chapter S-3.4), provides that anyone who contravenes a measure ordered by the Minister under Section 150.9 commits an offence and may be subject to a fine ranging from $500 to $50,000.
Prohibition of access to the forest and closure of forest roads
This ban is put in place for reasons of public safety when the spread of fires could threaten people or isolate individuals through road closures. It applies to any person, except those authorized by the authorities. A person found in a public forest must leave the area safely as soon as possible. The ban only applies to forest roads and forest access. These measures make it possible to limit the number of new fire outbreaks while guaranteeing safe evacuation in the event of a critical situation.
Who is affected by this ban?
Any person travelling throughout Quebec is affected by this ban, except for those authorized by a representative of the Minister or of the forest protection organization recognized by the Minister.
What should I do if I find myself in a public forest within an area affected by the ban?
If you find yourself in a public forest within the zone covered by the ban, you are asked to leave the area safely as soon as possible. The ban only applies to forest roads and forest access.
What should I do if I am in my main residence, within the zone covered by the ban?
If there is no evacuation notice in effect, you can stay there. The ban only applies to forest roads and forest access.
Is it possible to travel on forest roads within these sectors?
No, in addition to access to the forest, which is prohibited, it is not possible to travel on forest roads within these sectors, except for people authorized by a representative of the Minister or of the forest protection organization recognized by the Minister.
Can forestry workers continue their work in the forest?
No.
Area at risk
SOPFEU identifies Areas at risk in sectors where there are fire suppression operations in progress and where the safety of the population could be threatened. It is not recommended to travel there, as difficult and unpredictable conditions could endanger lives.
How do I know if I am in an Area at risk?
Consult the maps updated by SOPFEU and follow the official notices.
Is it prohibited to access an Area at risk?
It is not prohibited to access an Area at risk, but this is strongly discouraged.
Ban on flying over a forest fire (NOTAM)
A NOTAM (Notice to airmen) is put in place when a forest fire is active. Canadian Aviation Regulations prohibit flyovers below 3,000 feet AGL and within a radius of five nautical miles of a wildfire. This restriction aims to ensure the safety of SOPFEU operations, in particular air tankers and helicopters. Any aerial intrusion, including drones, is prohibited. As soon as an infringing aircraft is detected, SOPFEU must temporarily end its flight operations, thus delaying the fight against fires and increasing the risk of the fire spreading.
Is a NOTAM necessary to prohibit flyovers?
No, the restriction is automatic as soon as a fire is active.
Can I take images of a fire with a drone?
No, a drone is considered an aircraft, and its use is prohibited in all circumstances.
Why is it dangerous to fly over a fire?
It endangers firefighting aircraft pilots and slows down interventions.
Measures for industry
Restriction of work in the forest
When conditions in the forest require it, SOPFEU can recommend to its members in the forestry and silvicultural industry that forestry work be stopped to avoid the ignition of new fires and limit spread. Among the suspended activities, we find activities carried out on the topsoil using machinery or motorized equipment (felling, clearing, skidding, skidding, bucking, limbing, road construction, welding, use of ATVs, etc.) and reforestation work, whether mechanical or manual. Certain activities on mineral ground or without motorized equipment remain permitted.
Which Activities Are Affected by the Restriction?
Forestry work involving motorized equipment on vegetated soil.
Who Decides to Enforce the Restriction?
SOPFEU informs companies, but it is up to them to decide whether to suspend their operations.
Suspension of burning permits
When the fire danger index is high, SOPFEU may suspend the issuance of burning permits for industrial purposes and cancel those in progress. This measure aims to prevent the lighting of new fires. Although domestic burning is not affected, it is strongly recommended to consult municipal regulations before lighting a fire.
Who is affected by this suspension?
Industrial burning carried out in or near forests.
What is Industrial Burning?
Industrial burning requiring a permit issued by SOPFEU is a controlled fire conducted in or near a forest. Its purpose is to destroy various materials, particularly woody debris cut and cleared during deforestation, for industrial or commercial purposes.
What is Domestic Burning?
Domestic burning is a small-scale fire conducted by individuals, primarily to dispose of green waste such as branches and leaves.
Can we have an agricultural fire during the suspension period?
This depends on municipal regulations, but caution is recommended.