The Quebec government expanded its ban on open fires near forested areas Monday amid drying conditions and several wildfires in the province.
Authorities say there are currently nine active forest fires in the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) and 191 fires are active in the Northern Zone (NTZ). Since the beginning of the season this year, a total of 270 fires have affected more than 70,000 hectares in the IPZs, and 233 fires have affected more than a quarter million hectares in the northern zone.
As of July 6, 6 p.m., the ban on open fires applies to the following areas:
Abitibi-Témiscamingue (08): Témiscamingue (85), Rouyn-Noranda (86), Abitibi-Ouest (87), Abitibi (88), La Vallée-de-l’Or (89).
Capitale-Nationale (03): Charlevoix-Est (15), Charlevoix (16), La Côte-de-Beaupré (21), La Jacques-Cartier (22), Quebec City (23), Portneuf (34).
Côte-Nord (09): La Haute-Côte-Nord (95), Manicouagan (96), Sept-Rivières (971), Caniapiscau (972), Minganie (981), Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent (982).
Lanaudière (14): D’Autray (52), L’Assomption (60), Joliette (61), Matawinie (62), Montcalm (63), Les Moulins (64).
Laurentides (15): Deux-Montagnes (72), Thérèse-De Blainville (73), Mirabel (74), La Rivière-du-Nord (75), Argenteuil (76), Les Pays-d’en-Haut (77), Les Laurentides (78), Antoine-Labelle (79).
Mauricie (04): Mékinac (35), Shawinigan (36), Trois-Rivières (371), Les Chenaux (372), Maskinongé (51), La Tuque (90).
Nord-du-Québec (10): Jamésie (991), Kativik Regional Government (992) for its portion west of longitude 77W and south of latitude 56W (Kuujjuarapik), Eeyou Istchee (Waswanipi, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Nemiscau, Waskaganish, Whapmagoostui, Wemindji) (993).
Outaouais (07): Papineau (80), Gatineau (81), Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais (82), La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau (83), Pontiac (84).
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (02): Le Domaine-du-Roy (91), Maria-Chapdelaine (92), Lac-Saint-Jean-Est (93), Saguenay (941), Le Fjord-du-Saguenay (942).
An interactive map of the areas covered by the ban can be accessed on the Partenariat Données Québec website.
It is forbidden to light a fire or be on the premises of one in the areas covered by the ban. Violations can result in fines and other penalties, authorities warned.
