Open fires banned near forests in several parts of Quebec
With hot weather forecasted across Quebec this week, the province's forest fire agency is advising the public not to light outdoor fires until at least Thursday.
"In the next few days, it's critical," said Stéphane Caron, spokesperson for the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU). "[Conditions] could make for fires with good spread and good intensity."
SOPFEU is urging Quebecers to take extra care extinguishing campfires and to use caution when operating heat-emitting equipment in the forest.
"Even when using all-terrain vehicles such as ATVs, we ask people to stay on marked trails and not to travel off-trail -- in trails where there will be dry brush which could easily be flammable -- because hot engine parts, such as the exhaust pipe, can ignite the brush," Caron explained.
A total of 152 forest fires have been recorded by SOPFEU since mid-April, affecting 142.5 hectares.
On average, the organization records 179 fires at this time of year.
Over the past thirty years or so, there has been a decrease in the number of fires, which is quite appreciable," Caron continued. "We don't know if this is something that's going to continue, particularly with climate change, but we've seen a new upward trend over the last five or six years."
QUEBEC BANS FIRES IN OR NEAR FORESTS
The province has outright banned open fires in or near forested areas in several locations.
The measure took effect on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the following areas.
- NORD-DU-QUÉBEC: Jamésie, Administration régionale Kativik, Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji).
- CÔTE-NORD: La Haute-Côte-Nord, Manicouagan, Sept-Rivières, Caniapiscau, Minganie – Île-d'Anticosti.
- SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN: Le Domaine-du-Roy, Maria-Chapdelaine, Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, Saguenay, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay.
- ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE: Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi-Ouest, Abitibi, La Vallée-de-l'Or.
- MAURICIE: Mékinac, Shawinigan, Trois-Rivières, Les Chenaux, Maskinongé, La Tuque.
- QUEBEC CITY: Charlevoix-Est, Charlevoix, L'Île-d'Orléans, La Côte-de-Beaupré, La Jacques-Cartier, Québec, Portneuf.
- BAS-SAINT-LAURENT: La Matapédia, La Matanie, La Mitis, Rimouski-Neigette, Les Basques, Rivière-du-Loup, Témiscouata, Kamouraska.
- GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE: Le Rocher-Percé, La Côte-de-Gaspé, La Haute-Gaspésie, Bonaventure, Avignon.
- OUTAOUAIS: Papineau, Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, Pontiac.
- THE LAURENTIANS: Deux-Montagnes, Thérèse-De Blainville, Mirabel, La Rivière-du-Nord, Argenteuil, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, Les Laurentides, Antoine-Labelle.
- LANAUDIÈRE: D'Autray, L'Assomption, Joliette, Matawinie, Montcalm, Les Moulins.
- CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES: L'Islet, Montmagny, Bellechasse, Lévis, La Nouvelle-Beauce, Beauce-Centre, Les Etchemin, Beauce-Sartigan, Les Appalaches, Lotbinière.
- MONTÉRÉGIE: Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
SOPFEU RENEWS AID TO ALBERTA
SOPFEU announced this week that it will be renewing its assistance to Alberta, which is still dealing with major forest fires. Some 20 new firefighters were deployed west on Saturday to take over from those returning to Quebec.
Caron points out that the situation in Alberta has improved, but remains precarious.
Resources are therefore needed to carry out all the extinguishing work.
"For the rest, we'll see if the weather goes their way," he said.
On Saturday, Alberta authorities warned that hot, dry conditions are expected this weekend in some areas, keeping the province on its guard.
So far, Quebec has loaned Alberta 52 forest firefighters, a major fire management team of 12 specialists, an information officer, three agency representatives and combat equipment, SOPFEU said in a release.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.