August 2024 Review
For the fifth consecutive month, SOPFEU records fewer fires than usual
August was a relatively quiet month for the teams of the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU). During this period, they fought 42% fewer fires compared to the average for the last ten years. Thus, in the Intensive Protection Zone (ZPI), 31 fires affected only 7.3 ha of forest, while the average for the last ten years is 53 fires for 77 ha burned. The organization indicates that lightning is responsible for 35% of the fires that occurred in the ZPI during the last month. As for human-caused fires, the downward trend observed since the beginning of the season continues with 20 fires, which is precisely half the usual value, which is 40 fires.
SOPFEU reminds us that at the beginning of fall, recreational activities in the forest are still very popular. These activities are responsible for 40% of the fires that occurred during the month of September. Poorly extinguished campfires alone caused five wildfires. It should also be noted that 95% of the fires that occurred during this period were caused by humans.
The month of September was marked by several episodes of generalized good weather across the province. Despite the rapid passage of a few low pressure systems, the accumulations of rainfall recorded are well below normal, particularly in the regions located in central and eastern Quebec, which experienced 75% of the fires of the month.
Caution remains important
Since the start of the 2024 season, SOPFEU has responded to 305 fires in the Intensive Protection Zone, which burned 16,960 ha. This is a number of fires well below the ten-year average at this time, which stands at 434 fires, for an area that is slightly above average, excluding the titanic 2023 season.
Although summer is behind us, SOPFEU emphasizes that the forest fire season is not over. With the hunting season underway and the closing of cottages, we can expect the outbreak of new human-caused fires. Poorly extinguished campfires, cooking appliances, hunting shelter heating systems, cigarette butts and all-terrain vehicles can all cause a forest fire. The organization invites the public to check the fire danger on its website or via its mobile application before engaging in recreational activities in the forest.