Published on June 20, 2024 at 3:25 p.m.
The Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (SOPFEU) has launched an appeal for caution for certain regions of Quebec.
A call for vigilance
Due to weather conditions conducive to the formation of fires, SOPFEU has issued a ban on open fires to people living on the North Shore, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie, via press release.
Drier weather in the north and east of the province could favor the outbreak of new fires. SOPFEU also indicated that it is monitoring the situation very closely, as it anticipates the outbreak of several new fires in the coming days, which could spread quickly.
A risky weekend
The long weekend of Saint-Jean is synonymous with festivities in honor of La Belle Province. Consequently, on June 20, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests decided to prohibit open fires in or near forests.
Here are the sectors concerned:
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NORTH COAST: Manicouagan (east of the Manicouagan River and René-Levasseur Island), Sept-Rivières, Caniapiscau (René-Levasseur Island only), Minganie (including Anticosti Island) and Le Golfe- of the Saint-Laurent.
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LOWER SAINT-LAURENT: La Matapédia, La Matanie, La Mitis, Rimouski-Neigette and Les Basques.
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GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE: Le Rocher-Percé, La Côte-de-Gaspé, La Haute-Gaspésie, Bonaventure and Avignon.
This ban comes into force from June 20 at noon.
A factor could calm the situation
Between now and Monday, June 24, nearly 50 mm of rain is forecast, mainly on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, while the east will receive less.
