The greater Montreal area, encompassing parts of the Montérégie, the Laurentians, and the Lanaudière regions, has been identified as an extreme fire hazard zone by SOPFEU. This non-profit organization, responsible for wildfire prevention and control in Quebec, issues a daily fire index during wildfire season to evaluate the risk of wildfires.
The fire index consists of five levels, ranging from low to moderate, high, very high, and extreme. Mélanie Morin, a fire information officer at SOPFEU, emphasized the importance of refraining from activities that could potentially lead to wildfires during periods of very high or extreme fire danger. She highlighted the current vulnerability of the forest to even the smallest spark.
Morin advised individuals to familiarize themselves with local regulations regarding fire prevention measures in their respective municipalities. For instance, open-air fires, bonfires, outdoor fireplaces, garden fires, pyres, and fireworks involving pyrotechnics are prohibited in Montreal without prior authorization, irrespective of the fire risk level.
While some Montreal boroughs and on-island suburbs have imposed watering bans to safeguard drinking water quality, the town of Rigaud, located approximately 70 kilometers west of Montreal in the Montérégie region, has prioritized fire safety concerns. The town urged residents to adhere to the lawn watering ban to preserve water reserves for potential firefighting operations in case of a fire emergency.
Due to low lake, river, and groundwater levels and the heightened vulnerability of the Mont Rigaud forest, the town of Rigaud underscored the importance of complying with fire safety measures. SOPFEU also cautioned against driving motorized vehicles through dry grass, as the heat generated by engine parts could ignite the grass.
As of the latest update on Tuesday, Quebec was grappling with at least 10 active wildfires. The combination of scorching temperatures and inadequate rainfall has significantly heightened the risk of fires in the region, according to Morin. Although August typically sees smaller fires in Quebec due to optimal tree conditions, Morin emphasized the need for vigilance and responsible behavior in forested areas.
SOPFEU’s fire index serves not only to evaluate wildfire risks but also to provide guidance on appropriate actions. Morin reiterated the importance of exercising caution and minimizing the unnecessary use of fire near or within forested areas.