Quebec, June 23, 2024 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will modify the ban on open fires in or near forests starting June 24, at 8 a.m.. The decision to expand the territory affected by this ban was taken in collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (SOPFEU) due to changing weather conditions, mainly in Nord-du-Québec, the north of Lac-Saint-Jean and the west of the North Shore. Note, however, that the ban has been partially lifted in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie.
The measure banning open fires now applies to the following territory:
NORTHERN QUEBEC: Jamésie (991) – for its portion located south of latitude 54°, Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Wemindji) (993).
NORTH COAST : La Haute-Côte-Nord (95), Manicouagan (96), Sept-Rivières (971), Caniapiscau (972) – for its portion located south of latitude 54°, Minganie (981), Le Golfe-du- Saint-Laurent (982).
SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN: Le Domaine-du-Roy (91) – for its portion located north of latitude 49°, Maria-Chapdelaine (92) – for its portion located north of latitude 49°, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay ( 942) – for its portion located north of the Saguenay River.
LOWER SAINT-LAURENT: La Matapedia (07), La Matanie (08).
GASPÉSIE–ÎLES-DE-LA-MADELEINE: Le Rocher-Percé (02), La Côte-de-Gaspé (03), La Haute-Gaspésie (04), Bonaventure (05).
To consult the map of the targeted territory, go to www.sopfeu.qc.ca.
Currently, seven fires are active in Quebec in intensive protection zones. Since the start of the protection season, 193 forest fires have affected 14,279.5 hectares. The average for the last ten years at the same date is 276 fires for an area of 113,531.3 hectares.
This ban measure aims to limit the risk of forest fires. Remember that under section 239 of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (chapter A-18.1), anyone who contravenes an order prohibiting open fires in the forest or near it This or any other measure issued by the Minister is liable, in addition to payment of costs, to a fine. Everyone’s collaboration is essential.
