Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Quebecers asked to avoid forested areas as fire threat grows

A ban on open-air fires within or near provincial forests has been imposed as a heat wave ratchets the flammability index even higher.

a water bomber flies over a burning forest in quebec
A water bomber flies toward a major field and forest fire in Quebec in 2020. Photo by Jacques Boissinot /THE CANADIAN PRESS files

Citing the high flammability index recorded in the province’s wooded regions and nearly a dozen forest fires, the government of Quebec on Thursday asked the population to avoid or reduce trips into forested areas over the next few days.

The appeal comes from the provincial ministries of public security and natural resources and is based on a recommendation from SOPFEU, Quebec’s forest fire prevention and response agency.

Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Montreal Gazette, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

A ban on open-air fires within or near provincial forests has already been imposed as a heat wave this week ratcheted the flammability index even higher.

SOPFEU notes that the arrival of spring uncovers massive amounts of dead vegetation that, through a combination of wind and sunlight, can dry and become highly flammable.

As of Thursday morning, there were 11 forest fires burning in Quebec, the most active in the Jamésie region in the northwest of the province and in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean.

A fire in Chapais has been deemed out of control and forced the evacuation of local residents to Chibougamau.

  1. Quebec's forest fire prevention agency is maintaining a high alert for the rest of this week and says the weather conditions are cause for concern. Quebec provincial police check on forest firefighters as they drive out of the territory closed for the night in La Tuque, Que., Monday, May 31, 2010.

    Montreal under open fire ban amid continued dry weather

  2. An aircraft (centre) disperses a mix of water and fire retardant over a fire near Barrington Lake in Shelburne County, N.S. in this Wednesday, May 31, 2023 handout photo. More than 300 firefighters from the United States and South Africa are heading to Canada in the coming days as the country battles an unprecedented wildfire season.

    Firefighters from U.S., South Africa to help battle Canada's 'unprecedented' fires

  3. Eastern Canada struggles to bring wildfires under control