(Quebec) Having just come out of an exceptionally busy forest fire-fighting season, the Société de protection des forests contre le feu (SOPFEU) is launching its recruitment campaign for forest firefighters for that of 2024.
To mark the occasion, the organization will hold a public information session this Tuesday at 7 p.m. which will be broadcast via its Facebook page. Representatives of SOPFEU will present the organization and the profession of forest firefighter and answer questions from participants.
Jobs are to be filled throughout Quebec, depending on the needs that will be identified in the various SOPFEU operating bases, located in Baie-Comeau, Bonaventure, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Rimouski, Sept-Îles , Roberval, Duchesnay, La Tuque, Chibougamau, Maniwaki, Mont-Tremblant, Val-d’Or and Matagami.
SOPFEU affirms that the profession of forest firefighter offers a diversified and stimulating career opportunity, close to nature and in the heart of the forest.
It is a seasonal job that allows you to carry out personal projects or other professional activities during the winter season. However, people who wish to invest more can progress within the organization and access year-round employment, SOPFEU clarified.
The organization claims that it selects, trains, trains and develops its own resources.
Two weeks ago, the general director of SOPFEU, Éric Rousseau, affirmed that Quebec experienced a historic forest fire season in 2023, during which 4.5 million hectares of forest burned, including 1.1 million in habitable zone. The previous record, set in 2005, was 386,671 hectares burned in the habitable zone.
At the end of May, SOPFEU’s operational capacity was already exceeded.
In total, there were 711 fires, almost all caused by lightning, and nearly 27,000 people in 27 municipalities had to be evacuated.