Outfitters that will have to remain closed as a preventive measure because of the forest fires are furious against the Legault government and deplore up to $100,000 in losses.
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“It is a disaster. We lined up to have a good year, and there we are going to have a worse year than COVID, laments Dominic Veilleux, owner of the Chalets Gouin outfitter. At least, during COVID, we could have 1 family or 2 families per chalet.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) decided today to lift the ban on access to the forest only for sectors located mainly on the North Shore and in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
If he is “happy” for the outfitters in these regions which will be able to reopen, the CEO of the Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec, Dominic Dugré, expected more flexibility. Since last Sunday, more than 300 outfitters have been banned from accessing Quebec territory, unheard of for this industry.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
What is the air quality index in your city and what are the health recommendations derived from it?
Air Quality Index (AQI US)
101-150
sensitive people
AQI: GOOD
Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: MODERATE
Some people may be particularly sensitive to fine particle pollution
Particularly sensitive people: Consider reducing the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to slow down.
All the others : Great day to be active outdoors.
AQI: BAD for
sensitive people
Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children and adolescents, minority populations and outdoor workers.
Sensitive groups: Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. It’s okay to be active outside, but take more breaks. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.
AQI: BAD
for everyone
Sensitive people: Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
All the others : Reduce the duration and intensity of activities. Take more breaks from outdoor activities.
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: VERY BAD
Sensitive people: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Postpone it to a time when the air quality is better or move activities indoors.*
All the others : Avoid prolonged or strenuous activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
AQI: CRITICAL
All the others : Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Sensitive people: Stay indoors and maintain a reduced activity level. Follow tips for keeping particulate levels low indoors.*
*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.
“The southern regions of the Outaouais, the Laurentians, Lanaudière and Mauricie, we see that there are not really any fires or that they are contained. I think we should see how there can be a little more flexibility.”
- Listen to Mario Dumont’s interview with Guy Bérubé, fire investigator and vice-president of the International Association of Arson Investigators via QUB-radio :
“I am outraged”
For outfitters still suffering from the ban and anxiously waiting to reopen for the busiest time of the year, the decision is a source of frustration.
Maxime Béland, owner of Pourvoirie Club Hosanna in Mauricie, expressed his “enormous disappointment” when joined by The newspaper.
“That does not make any sense. I am outraged,” he protested.
“It’s been raining for three days and the conditions are decent here. We must send the clear message to the government that we are ready to receive our world. You have to listen to us.”
Courtesy
The Club Hosanna outfitter, in Mauricie.
According to Mr. Béland, his outfitter is losing 100 customers and $15,000 every day, “enormous losses” for his business.
For its part, the Chalets Gouin outfitter estimates that as of Sunday, its losses caused by the government ban will reach $100,000.
“It’s completely innocent. Even if it gets wet, nothing happens. So we don’t know how it’s going to end,” castigates Dominic Veilleux, owner of the Chalets Gouin outfitter, in Mauricie.
Priority: fight the fires
In response to our questions, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) justified its decision by arguing that the fire situation “is changing from hour to hour”.
- Listen to Philippe-Vincent Foisy’s interview with Josée Poitras, prevention officer at SOPFEU – Society for the protection of forests against fire via QUB-radio :
“Priority being given to fighting the forest fires raging in the territory,” the ministry said.