The Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (SOPFEU) is extending the ban on open fires, and by extension, fireworks, to almost all regions of Quebec.
The organization made the announcement in a press release on Friday, on the eve of the festivities of the national holiday of Quebec.
“Whether it’s fireworks or an open fire, it’s the spark that comes out that brings danger to the forests. The sparks can travel a great distance, depending on the winds outside,” explains Isabelle Gariépy, prevention and communications officer at SOPFEU, saying that this phenomenon justifies the ban.
The regions affected by the ban are those of Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale, Bas -Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Outaouais, Laurentides and Lanaudière.
“The forest fire situation is still critical in western and northern Quebec and SOPFEU is devoting all the necessary efforts to it. To avoid aggravating the situation, (the ban) on open fires in the forest is improved for the next few days, ”said the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, in a publication on Friday. on Twitter.
The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, also recalled the ban on open fires on the same social network.
“With the predicted hot weather, fireworks and outdoor fires are particularly dangerous at this time. Please (please) avoid lighting fires of any kind. They are banned in several boroughs for public safety reasons,” wrote Ms.me Plant.
On Friday, 112 forest fires were active in Quebec, according to SOPFEU, including those in the northern zone.