1687622461 Forest fires CHANGE TO THE BAN on open fires

Forest fires – CHANGE TO THE BAN on open fires in or near the forest and evacuations – Zone 911

Update of the bans by SOPFEU

Fireworks ban on St. John’s Day

There are currently 80 active fires in Quebec.

Since the protection season began, more than a million hectares have been affected by 467 wildfires.

The average for the last ten years at the same time is 253 fires over an area of ​​7716.6 hectares.

SOPFEU asks the citizens for their cooperation so that the ban on open fires in the forest is observed.

This measure is intended to limit the risk of forest fires.

It should be noted that under Section 239 of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (Chapter A-18.1) anyone who violates an order prohibiting open fires in or near the forest shall be subject to that or any other measure made by the Minister in addition to the Liability liable makes payment of costs up to and including a fine.

In view of the rapid evolution of combustibility indices in the eastern regions of the province, as well as the high potential for fires to spread in these regions, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests amends the ban on open fires in or near the forest. This decision, which was taken on the recommendation of the Society for the Protection of Forests from Fires (SOPFEU), therefore includes the extension of the current measure from Friday 23 June, 12 noon.

The sectors covered by the open fire ban now correspond to the following RCMs and territories:

Screenshot 2023 06 23 180305

evacuation notice

Lebel sur Quevillon
The municipality of Lebel-sur-Quévillon has completed the evacuation of its population. The evacuees are transferred to the Val-d’Or accommodation center.

Senneterre
The City of Senneterre has issued a preventive evacuation notice for the following sectors.

Mile Street 20;
slide road;
pioneer road;
Dion Road;
Menard Road.

Val d’Or
The City of Val-d’Or has issued an evacuation notice for the following sectors:

Lake Guéguen;
Matchi Manitou Lake;
Villebon Lake.

Mauricie
Obedjivan
More than 430 vulnerable people from Obedjiwan township have been evacuated through preventative measures and taken to hotels in Roberval and Saguenay.

Mistissini
The municipality of Mistissini has started evacuating its population. Evacuees are transferred to accommodation centers in Saguenay. Vulnerable people who were evacuated earlier this week as a preventive measure have been relocated to the Capitale-Nationale region.

Source: SOPFEU and Government of Quebec Public Safety