Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks has decided to impose a ban on open-air fires in or near forests in the Monteregie and Estrie administrative regions. The stated reason for the ban is in order to help prevent fires that could overload the capacity of the provincial forest firefighting authority, the SOPFEU, and other municipal firefighting authorities, which may be operating in reduced forms during the pandemic.
The specific sectors targeted by the ban include the MRCs and territories of Brome-Missisquoi, La Haute-Yamaska, Rouville, Le Haut-Richelieu, La Vallée-du-Richelieu, Longueuil, Marguerite-D’Youville, Roussillon, Les Jardins-de-Napiervillw, Le Haut-Saint-Laurent, Beauharnois-Salaberry, Sherbrooke and Memphrémagog.
According to the SOPFEU there are currently no forest fires in Quebec, and there have been only nine since the beginning of the fire season over a territory of 0.3 hectares. This compares to a ten-year average of 17 fires over 8.9 hectares.
The SOPFEU calls on the cooperation of all to ensure that the fire ban is respected in order to help reduce risks. Those who violate the ban are liable to a fine ranging from $500 to $50,000.
Open-air fire ban now in effect
Record Staff
