Quebec lifts province-wide ban on open forest fires

Quebec's Ministry of Public Security announced that the total ban on open fires in forests or near forested areas was lifted, taking effect at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The prohibition, originally imposed on June 9 because of high fire danger, was removed in coordination with the provincial wildfire agency SOPFEU after weather conditions improved, with a stationary depression bringing rain and storms to the west and central regions.

SOPFEU reported 202 fires this season affecting 194 hectares, below the ten‑year average of 241 fires and 108,164 hectares burned. The ban had previously covered three regional county municipalities on the Côte‑Nord.

The decision reflects the authorities’ assessment that the risk of wildfire has receded from “extreme” to a lower level.