By Gordon Lambie
SOPFEU, Quebec’s Forest Fire fighting service, is warning people to take care when lighting outdoor fires at the moment because of an elevated risk of brush fires.
“It is very normal to see more fires at this time of year,” said SOPFEU spokesperson Josée Poitras, explaining that the period after the snow melts but before new leaves come out presents an increased risk because of the dry leaves and plant residue on the ground.