Forest fires - AMENDMENT TO THE TERRITORY AFFECTED BY THE PROHIBITION ON THE ACCESS TO FORESTS ON LANDS IN THE DOMAIN OF THE STATE AND THE CLOSURE OF FOREST ROADS

QUÉBEC, July 12, 2023 /CNW/ - The ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF) has decided to amend the prohibition on the access to forests on lands in the domain of the State and the closure of forest roads announced on July 8, 2023. This decision was made in conjunction with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) due in particular to changing weather conditions, operational realities in the territory and the SOPFEU's response to fires. It therefore results in the partial lifting of the prohibition on part of the territory. Analyses are underway for future adjustments to the northern zone.

This amendment takes effect on July 12, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

Here is the location map of the affected territory (in French only). The amendments to the measure target the regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec.

The prohibition of access to a forest in lands in the domain of the State and road closures now applies to the following territory:

NORD-DU-QUÉBEC: Jamésie (991) for its portions bounded by the following coordinates:
77° 07' W 49° 00' N
76° 42' 12" W 49° 18' 07" N
76° 32' 43" W 49° 20' 35" N
75° 56' 04" W 49° 20' 22" N
75° 27' 37" W 49° 33' 45" N
75° 12' 37" W 49° 33' 45" N
75° 09' 33" W 49° 23' 48" N
75° 23' 30" W 49° 09' 10" N
75° 29' 24" W 49° 00' N
75° 31' 14" W 49° 00' N
AND
76° 25' W 51° 06' N
75° 47' W 51° 02' N
75° 37' W 50° 55' N
75° 42' W 50° 35' N
76° 10' W 50° 29' N
76° 30' W 50° 35' N
76° 36' W 50° 45' N
76° 36' W 50° 56' N
AND
75° 16' W 50° 45' N  
73° 54' W 50° 49' N
73° 54' W 50° 28' N
74° 28' W 50° 02' N
75° 16' W 50° 26' N
AND
78° 22' W 54° 51' N
71° 00' W 54° 51' N
71° 00' W 53° 59' N
72° 52' W 52° 20' N
76° 48' W 52° 20' N
76° 48' W 54° 10' N
78° 22' W 54° 10' N
AND
Eeyou Istchee (993)
Mistissini for its portion northwest of the following coordinates:
73° 54' W 50° 34' N
73° 54' W 50° 28' N
74° 10' W 50° 15' N

ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE: Abitibi (88) for its portion east of the line bounded by the following points:
77° 07' W 49° 00' N
77° 11' 54" W 48° 56' 22" N
77° 08' 22" W 48° 34' 30" N

La Vallée-de-l'Or (89) for its portion northeast of the following coordinates:
77° 08' 22" W 48° 34' 30" N
77° 08' 22" W 48° 34' 30" N
77° 07' 37" W 48° 29' 50" N
76° 56' 45" W 48° 21' 01" N
76° 01' 49" W 48° 21' 03" N
75° 42' 58" W 48° 38' 49" N
75° 31' 14" O 48° 57' 09" N

The Department would like to remind the public that, at a time when major fires are raging in certain areas of Québec, greater caution must be taken. The collaboration of all forest users is essential to protect our forests and ensure public safety.

Furthermore, the prohibition on open fires in or near the forest and the restriction on forest work are still in effect in some areas. For the delineation of the affected territory and the periods covered by the forest work restriction, please refer to the Restrictions section of the SOPFEU website.

For information on the closed territory, please visit the Gouvernement du Québec's Forest Fires webpage, the SOPFEU website, the Forêt ouverte interactive map or contact Services Québec toll-free at 1-877-644-4545.

For information on the ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts or to learn more about its activities and achievements, visit mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/en or its social media:

• twitter.com/mrnfqc
• facebook.com/RessourcesNaturellesForets
• linkedin.com/company/ressourcesnaturellesforets
• youtube.com/RessourcesNaturellesForets
• instagram.com/mrnfqc

Information for citizens:

Toll-free number
1-877-644-4545

Information for media representatives:

Media relations
Ministère des Ressources naturelles
et des Forêts
[email protected]

SOURCE Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts