Quebec lifts ban on open fires in forests as wildfire season peaks
The province ended a week-long restriction Monday, citing improved conditions and SOPFEU assessment. Over 140 active fires remain across the province.
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Quebec lifted its ban on open fires in or near forests on Monday, July 20, as wildfire conditions improved across the province.
The Ministry of Domestic Security made the decision in collaboration with SOPFEU, the provincial forest-fire protection agency. The ban had been in effect since July 13.
Currently, 10 active forest fires are burning in Quebec's intensive protection zone and 136 are active in the northern zone. Since the fire protection season began, 336 fires have affected 124,417.9 hectares of forest in the intensive zone, and 278 fires have touched 600,178.3 hectares in the north.
SOPFEU determined the lifting was safe based on its interventions to fight existing fires and current and forecast weather conditions in the affected areas.
The facts
When did Quebec lift its ban on open fires in forests?
Quebec lifted its ban on open fires in or near forests on Monday, July 20, 2026.
How long was the ban in effect?
The ban on open fires in or near forests was in effect for one week, from July 13 to July 20, 2026.
