Provincial status report

Over the weekend, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of the province, particularly in the south and east. The rainfall will lower fire danger ratings in several areas. Accordingly, a complete lifting of the ban on open fires is announced effective Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m.

However, a return to hot and dry weather is forecast for early next week. If the predicted dry conditions persist, a new ban on open fires could be issued.

Summer conditions are setting in across southern Quebec

In southern Quebec, we are currently witnessing the transition from spring to summer conditions, marked by the emergence of leaves, which will make these areas less vulnerable to wildfires. Meanwhile, in regions further north, where forests are predominantly coniferous, spring conditions will foster more intense fires that spread over larger areas and require greater effort to control. SOPFEU urges the public to check the fire danger index for their region daily and to adjust their behavior accordingly, particularly during any activity that could generate flames or sparks.

Over the next few days, conditions will dry out across nearly the entire province, causing the fire danger index to rise. Despite a few scattered showers and thunderstorms, the weather will generally be hot and dry, with strong winds in some areas.

In addition, a ban on open fires has been in effect since Monday, June 1, at 1:00 p.m.

Summer conditions are settling in across southern Quebec
In southern Quebec, the transition from spring to summer conditions is currently underway. Marked by the emergence of leaves, this transition will make these areas less vulnerable to vegetation fires. However, in the more northern regions, where coniferous forests are predominant, this transition will create conditions favourable to more intense fires that spread over larger areas and require greater efforts to contain. SOPFEU encourages the public to check their region’s fire danger index daily and adjust their behaviour accordingly, particularly during any activity that could generate flames or sparks.

Generally cool, damp conditions are covering most of Quebec, keeping the fire danger index at a low level across nearly all of the province this Thursday. The exceptions are the western edge of the province, as well as the Basse-Côte-Nord, where ground fuels are gradually drying out.

This lull, however, could be short-lived. Longer-range forecasts point to a marked rise in the fire danger index as early as the start of next week, across a significant portion of the territory.

Summer conditions are settling in across southern Quebec

In southern Quebec, the transition from spring to summer conditions is currently underway. Marked by the emergence of leaves, this transition will make these areas less vulnerable to vegetation fires. However, in the more northern regions, where coniferous forests are predominant, this transition will create conditions favourable to more intense fires that spread over larger areas and require greater efforts to contain. SOPFEU encourages the public to check their region’s fire danger index daily and adjust their behaviour accordingly, particularly during any activity that could generate flames or sparks.

Despite the call for caution issued by SOPFEU last Thursday, 24 forest fires were recorded across the province between May 21 and May 24, affecting more than 45 hectares of forest. All of these fires are attributable to human activity. Waste burning alone accounts for nearly 38% of them.

Waste burning is one of the leading causes of forest fires at this time of year, as flames can easily escape control. Several safe alternatives exist to dispose of these residues:

• Composting

• Green waste collection

• Ecocentre

Lower fire danger levels
Rainfall received across much of the province over the past few days has helped bring down the fire danger index, which remains at a low level across most of the territory this Monday. Higher levels are nevertheless observed in the east, particularly in Côte-Nord, Gaspésie and on Anticosti Island. This week, the fire danger level is expected to remain low at least until Wednesday.

Prevention reminder
With the return of warm spring weather, vigilance remains essential. Dead vegetation, such as brush, dry grasses, and fallen leaves, dries out quickly under the effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable. It is therefore important to exercise caution during any activity that could produce flames or sparks.

Call for caution
SOPFEU is urging caution among the population of southern and eastern Quebec. The fire danger index is rising across several regions, particularly in Outaouais, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Montérégie, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, Estrie, and Chaudière-Appalaches. A dry spell is settling in, and SOPFEU anticipates the outbreak of several new fires in these areas over the coming days. As the system moves eastward, the Gaspésie and Côte-Nord regions will be increasingly affected starting Sunday.

Before vegetation has fully leafed out, dry grass, dead leaves, and brush on the ground form highly flammable fuel. Just a few hours of sunshine and a light wind are enough to dry out vegetation quickly and cause the danger to rise sharply. SOPFEU is also asking the public to avoid burning debris and residual materials during this period.

Preventable fires
Since the start of the protection season, 136 fires have been ignited, affecting 135.7 hectares of forest in the intensive protection zone, 99% of which are attributable to human activity.

The fire danger index has decreased Tuesday across most of Québec. However, parts of the Gaspé Peninsula and eastern Côte-Nord are still experiencing a high fire danger level. Over the past few days, several vegetation fires have occurred across the province, including some near communities on the Côte-Nord. SOPFEU crews remain engaged in these areas.

Conditions are expected to improve slightly by Wednesday, with a return to a low fire danger level across the province. This reprieve will be short-lived, however. Beginning Thursday, the fire danger index is expected to rise back to high levels in several southern regions of Québec including Outaouais, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Montérégie, Estrie, and Chaudière-Appalaches as well as in parts of eastern Québec.

Waste burning remains a high-risk activity
SOPFEU reminds the public that waste burning remains particularly risky in the spring. Since the start of the season, this activity has already caused 46 vegetation fires across Québec. Wind and dry fuels can quickly allow flames to escape control and ignite surrounding vegetation.

Drones prohibited near wildfire operations
Again this weekend, a drone was spotted flying over a wildfire being fought by SOPFEU. Drones operating near wildfire response areas pose a serious collision risk to water bombers and helicopters involved in suppression efforts. Whenever a drone is detected, aerial operations must be suspended until the airspace is secured. These interruptions can compromise firefighting efforts and endanger both emergency crews and the public.

Prevention reminder
With the return of warmer spring weather, vigilance remains essential. Dead vegetation such as brush, dry grass, and fallen leaves dries out quickly under the combined effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable. Everyone is urged to exercise caution during any activity that could generate flames or sparks.

Un anticyclone assèche le nord de la province, notamment l’Abitibi et la Côte-Nord, tandis qu’une dépression affecte le sud avec des précipitations. Au cours des prochains jours, l'indice de danger d'incendie demeure bas au sud du territoire, mais atteindra un niveau élevé dans les régions plus au nord, et même très élevé dans certains secteurs du nord-ouest (Abitibi et Nord-du-Québec). Un nouveau système dépressionnaire est attendu en début de semaine prochaine.

Par ailleurs, l’équipe de météorologues de la SOPFEU suit de près la disparition du couvert de neige afin d’élargir graduellement le territoire où l’indice de danger est diffusé.

Rappel de prévention
Au printemps, dès l'arrivée du beau temps, la vigilance demeure essentielle. Les végétaux morts, comme les broussailles et les feuilles mortes, s'assèchent rapidement sous l'effet du soleil et du vent, ce qui les rend particulièrement inflammables. Il est donc important de faire preuve de prudence lors de toute activité pouvant générer des flammes ou des étincelles.

Après quelques jours sans pluie, les combustibles au sol s'assèchent sur l’ensemble du territoire. L'indice de danger d'incendie atteindra un niveau élevé un peu partout en province, jusqu’en milieu de semaine. Des précipitations sont prévues principalement le jeudi 14 mai, ce qui permettra de ramener l'indice de danger à un niveau bas pour les jours subséquents.

Par ailleurs, l’équipe de météorologues de la SOPFEU suit de près la disparition du couvert de neige afin d’élargir graduellement le territoire où l’indice de danger est diffusé.

Rappel de prévention
Au printemps, dès l'arrivée du beau temps, la vigilance demeure essentielle. Les végétaux morts, comme les broussailles et les feuilles mortes, s'assèchent rapidement sous l'effet du soleil et du vent, ce qui les rend particulièrement inflammables. Il est donc important de faire preuve de prudence lors de toute activité pouvant générer des flammes ou des étincelles.

Following rainfall over the past few days, ground fuels are drying out rapidly across western Quebec, particularly in the southern part of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Outaouais, Laurentides, and Lanaudière. The fire danger index has reached a high level in these areas, and this trend is expected to intensify over the next two days as dry conditions persist across this part of the province.

Precipitation is forecast toward the next Weekend, mainly on Sunday, May 10, which should bring the fire danger index back down to a low level for the start of the following week.

In addition, SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists is closely monitoring the disappearance of the snow cover in order to gradually expand the area where the fire danger index is available.

Prevention reminder
In spring, as warmer weather arrives, vigilance remains essential. Dead vegetation such as brush and dry leaves dries out quickly under the effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable. It is therefore important to exercise caution during any activity that could generate flames or sparks.

Weather conditions observed over the past few days have been conducive to a decrease in fire danger across several regions of Québec. Relatively cool temperatures, combined with precipitation received over much of the territory, are helping to keep the overall risk level low.

According to forecasts, this trend is expected to continue over the coming days. Rain and cool conditions are expected in several areas, which will help maintain the fire danger index at a low level across a large portion of the territory.

In addition, SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists is closely monitoring the disappearance of the snow cover in order to gradually expand the area where the fire danger index is available.

Prevention Reminder
In the spring, as soon as warm weather returns, vigilance remains essential. Dead vegetation, such as brush and fallen leaves, dries out quickly under the effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable. It is therefore important to exercise caution during any activity that may generate flames or sparks.

More than 50 new wildfires occurred in Québec between April 24 and 28, mainly in the Outaouais, Laurentides and Lanaudière regions. This is above the average number of fires for this time of year. All were caused by human activity, particularly debris burning.

Rainfall on Thursday is helping to lower the fire danger index across southern Québec. At the same time, SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists is closely monitoring the disappearance of the snow cover in order to gradually expand the area where the fire danger index is published.

In spring, as soon as warm weather returns, vigilance is essential. Dead vegetation (brush, fallen leaves, etc.) dries out quickly under the combined effect of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the Fire Danger Index on April 8, 2026, in southern regions where the snow cover had completely disappeared, namely Montérégie and western Estrie.

Since then, fire danger reporting has expanded to cover all of Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, a large portion of Chaudière-Appalaches, Outaouais, Laurentides, and Lanaudière, as well as the southern parts of Capitale-Nationale and Mauricie.

SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists monitors the disappearance of the snow cover on a daily basis in order to expand the area where the Fire Danger Index is issued.

The rest of Québec remains under winter conditions, with significant snow cover still present in forested areas. As a result, the risk of wildfires in these regions is nonexistent.

The first fire of the season occurred on April 9 in Danville, in the Estrie region. It was caused by residents conducting debris burning.

In spring, as soon as warm weather arrives, vigilance is required. Dead vegetation (brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly under the effects of sun and wind, becoming highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the Fire Danger Index on April 8, 2026, in southern regions where the snow cover had completely disappeared, namely Montérégie and western Estrie.

Since then, fire danger reporting has expanded to cover all of Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, a large portion of Chaudière-Appalaches, Outaouais, Laurentides, and Lanaudière, as well as the southern parts of Capitale-Nationale and Mauricie.

SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists monitors the disappearance of the snow cover on a daily basis in order to expand the area where the Fire Danger Index is issued.

The rest of Québec remains under winter conditions, with significant snow cover still present in forested areas. As a result, the risk of wildfires in these regions is nonexistent.

The first fire of the season occurred on April 9 in Danville, in the Estrie region. It was caused by residents conducting debris burning.

In spring, as soon as warm weather arrives, vigilance is required. Dead vegetation (brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly under the effects of sun and wind, becoming highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the fire danger index on April 8, 2026, in southern regions where the snow cover had completely disappeared, namely Montérégie and western Estrie.

Since then, the fire danger index has been extended to cover all of Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, a large part of Chaudière-Appalaches, as well as the southern portions of Capitale-Nationale and Outaouais.

SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists monitors the disappearance of snow cover on a daily basis in order to expand the territory where the fire danger index is published.

The rest of Québec remains under winter conditions, with snow still well present in forested areas. The risk of wildfires there is therefore nonexistent.

The first fire of the season occurred on April 9 in Danville, Estrie. It was caused by residents carrying out debris burning.

In spring, as soon as warm weather arrives, vigilance is required. Dead vegetation (brush, fallen leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly under the combined effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the fire danger index on April 8, 2026, in the southern regions where the snow cover had completely disappeared, namely Montérégie and western Estrie. Since then, the Fire Danger rating has been extended to the Centre-du-Québec region and parts of Chaudière-Appalaches.

SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists monitors the disappearance of the snow cover on a daily basis in order to expand the territory where the fire danger index is published.

The rest of Québec remains under winter conditions, with snow still present in forested areas. As a result, the risk of wildfires there is currently non-existent.

The first wildfire of the season occurred on April 9 in Danville, in the Estrie region. It was caused by residents conducting a debris burn.

In the spring, as soon as warm weather sets in, vigilance is required. Dead vegetation (brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly under the effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the Fire Danger Index on April 8, 2026, in the southern regions where the snow cover has completely disappeared, namely Montérégie and western Estrie.

SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists monitors the disappearance of the snow cover on a daily basis in order to expand the area where the Fire Danger Index is published.

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

In the spring, as soon as warm weather arrives, vigilance is required. Dead vegetation (brush, fallen leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly under the effects of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.