Environment

With the return of warm weather and the opening of pools, you might come across an unusual discovery in the water: the giant water bug, also known as the American toe-biter. This impressive insect, which can measure between 5 and 6.5 centimeters, has a flat, oval-shaped body and a rostrum—a kind of pointed beak used […]

Spring is back—and so are ticks, appearing as soon as the snow melts. Tick presence is now well established in the Pontiac, where public health authorities consider the region to be endemic. The blacklegged tick, the main species of concern, is known to transmit Lyme disease. According to public health data, the Outaouais is among […]

Spring is here, bringing with it the desire to green our urban and rural spaces. Many municipalities are now looking to create areas dedicated to community or collective gardens, giving residents the opportunity to cultivate a small plot of land. Beyond the ecological aspect, these projects address important social issues. Community gardens help foster social […]

The Quebec Ministry of Wildlife has announced that the 2026–2027 recreational fishing season began on April 1st, 2026, and will continue until March 31st, 2027. Anglers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new rules now in effect. All official information on regulations is available on the Ministry’s website: 2026–2027 Fishing Regulations. An interactive map […]

The community radio station of the Pontiac (CHIP 101.9) is monitoring the situation regarding power outages in the region due to the freezing rain weather conditions of yesterday, Wednesday March 11th. On Thursday afternoon, at 3 p.m., the main municipalities still affected by yesterday’s events were Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Otter Lake and Clarendon. According to the information […]

Ticket sales are now open for the Sommet Climat Outaouais, which will take place on October 17 in Gatineau. Organizers hope the event will serve as a turning point for regional mobilization, sparking major projects, bold ideas, and new collaborations to accelerate the climate transition in the Outaouais. The program will feature plenary sessions with […]

Recent weather conditions have allowed for the lifting of the ban on open-air fires. Campfires, outdoor fireplaces, and fireworks are now permitted. However, several municipalities are urging residents to remain cautious. In Mansfield-et-Pontefract, for example, municipal officials emphasized that conditions throughout the summer have required constant vigilance. They also advised that anyone uncertain about current […]

Residents across the Pontiac are being reminded to exercise caution and respect open-air fire bans currently in effect in most municipalities. In Fort-Coulonge, firefighters have had to respond on several occasions due to citizens ignoring the rules. In a Facebook post, the Fort-Coulonge Fire Department reported receiving multiple calls. “This morning, the fire department received […]

The Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract has announced that the road leading to Lac Dépôt will be completely closed on Tuesday, August 5th, until 3 p.m. This closure is necessary to allow crews to carry out emergency work on a culvert located approximately 1 km from Lac Dépôt. The Public Works Department of the Municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract […]

The fire season in the Quebec region is quiet compared to the Canadian Prairies; July recorded the fewest fires in a decade, roughly four times lower than usual. In intensive protection zones (IPZs), SOPFEU documented 18 fires that affected 2 hectares (ha) of forest over the last month. The average for the previous 10 years […]