Issued on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:22 am / All regions
The Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts has decided to modify the ban on open fires in or near forests. This decision, taken in collaboration with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), means that the measure will be partially lifted on part of the territory. In view of the weather conditions that have evolved in the southern and eastern regions of the province, the measure is modified as of 8 a.m. today, June 29, 2023.
There are currently 72 active fires in Quebec. Since the start of the protection season, 481 forest fires have affected 1,452,712.6 hectares. The ten-year average for the same date is 266 fires covering 9676.7 ha.
Everyone’s cooperation is essential if the ban on open fires in the forest is to be respected. The aim of this measure is to limit the risk of forest fires. Under section 239 of the Act respecting the sustainable development of forest land (chapter A-18.1), anyone who contravenes an order prohibiting open fires in or near forests, or any other measure issued by the Minister, is liable to a fine in addition to payment of costs.
*Please be advised that any municipality is free to be stricter than the ministerial decree, and is allowed to ban fires in their area. Please contact your municipal office or your local fire department to see what is permitted in your sector. Thank you*
For more information, please visit the SOPFEU website: https://sopfeu.qc.ca/en/
