Open fire ban lifted in Bas Saint-Laurent, Gaspesie; still in effect in Northern Quebec
The Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has lifted the ban on open fires in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions.
The changes came into effect at 12 p.m. on Monday.
The decision was taken in collaboration with the Quebec's forest fire prevention agency (SOPFEU) "due to weather conditions bringing rain to the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions."
The day before, the ministry announced an extension of the ban zone to the Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean regions. These three regions are still under an open fire ban.
In the areas concerned, it is therefore still forbidden to light an open fire - which SOPFEU defines on its website as "any fire burning freely or that could spread freely" - in or near a forest, on pain of a fine ranging from $500 to $50,000.
Pyrotechnics (fireworks) and instruments that produce flames or sparks (welding instruments) are examples of open fires.
Active forest fires
As of early Monday afternoon, seven forest fires were active in Quebec's massive protection zone.
Since the start of the season, 173 forest fires have destroyed 14,279.5 hectares. The ten-year average for the same date is 229 fires for 113,531.3 hectares burned.
Here is the precise list of areas still affected by the ban on open fires:
North Quebec: Jamésie, Eeyou Istchee (in Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji).
North Coast: Haute-Côte-Nord, Manicouagan, Sept-Rivières, Caniapiscau, Minganie, Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent.
Saguenay--Lac-Saint-Jean: Le Domaine-du-Roy, Maria-Chapdelaine, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay (north of the Saguenay River).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 24, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Anne Hathaway confirms 'Princess Diaries 3': 'Miracles happen'
You might be thinking, 'Shut up!' but it’s officially true: the 'Princess Diaries' franchise is finally growing.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sask. man pleads guilty in U.S. after unknowingly providing videos of men raping toddlers to FBI agent
A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.