With the hot and dry weather of the past few days, conducive to forest fires, a preventive notice was issued Thursday morning by the Ministry of Public Security to ask the population to avoid or restrict travel in the forest.
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With this recommendation, the government not only wishes to reduce the risk of fire, but also to facilitate the operations of the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) and ensure the safety of the citizens of the regions concerned.
Several regions of Quebec are already affected by forest fires, such as around Chapais, in Nord-du-Québec, and Sept-Îles, in Côte-Nord. A forest fire in Rivière-Éternité also hit Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean on Thursday.
Quebec is not the only province dealing with the ravages of fires: Alberta has 60 active wildfires to date, while Nova Scotia has seen about 200 buildings destroyed by the flames.
The government recalls that lighting open fires throughout the province, in or near the forest is still prohibited.
What to do in the event of a forest fire
As specified by the provincial authorities, “the first thing to do is to leave the house if the authorities ask you to do so. If you are driving, be sure to keep the vehicle windows closed. Obey the signs, find a safe place to take refuge in case you have to, and determine an escape route, since a forest fire can block traffic. Prepare an emergency kit and inform your loved ones of your whereabouts.