The Quebec government has expanded its ban on open fires in and near forests as dry conditions and ongoing wildfire activity continue to strain firefighting resources across the province.
The measure, which took effect at 6 p.m. on July 6, was introduced by the Ministère de la Sécurité intérieure in collaboration with SOPFEU. Officials said the decision was driven by dry weather north of the St. Lawrence River and exceptional operational demands on wildfire crews.
According to provincial authorities, nine wildfires are active in Quebec’s Intensive Protection Zone and 191 are burning in the Northern Zone. Since the start of the fire protection season, 270 fires have burned more than 70,300 hectares in the Intensive Protection Zone, while 233 fires have burned more than 266,000 hectares in the Northern Zone.
The open fire ban now covers parts of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Capitale-Nationale, Côte-Nord, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Mauricie, Nord-du-Québec, Outaouais and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
An interactive map of the areas covered by the ban is available on the Partenariat Données Québec website.
Under the ban, people are prohibited from lighting, maintaining or being near an active open fire in the affected areas. Authorities said the restriction is intended to limit the risk of new forest fires, with violations potentially leading to fines and other penalties.
Officials urged residents, businesses and visitors in affected regions to check current restrictions before carrying out any outdoor burning or activities that could create sparks.
