High wildfire danger: SOPFEU urges caution in the Outaouais region

High wildfire danger: SOPFEU urges caution in the Outaouais region

The SOPFEU is urging citizens in several regions of Quebec, including the Outaouais, to exercise caution due to weather conditions that increase the risk of wildfires.

According to the agency, the lack of rain, mild temperatures, and wind are causing vegetation to dry out quickly. The Outaouais, Abitibi‑Témiscamingue, Nord‑du‑Québec, and Côte‑Nord regions are under close watch until Monday.

The SOPFEU explains that a “call for caution” means conditions are favorable not only for fires to start, but also for them to spread rapidly and burn with greater intensity. Dry grass, dead leaves, and brush currently represent highly flammable fuel.

With the return of good weather, many property owners are beginning yard cleanup and landscaping work. The SOPFEU is therefore asking people to avoid burning debris and to be extremely careful with any outdoor use of fire.

Since the start of the season, 168 fires have been recorded in Quebec’s intensive protection zone, affecting nearly 179 hectares of forest. A concerning fact: 99% of these fires are linked to human activity.