The Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks have announced a total open fire ban in our region(s).
Affected by the open fire ban are the following:
Montérégie and Estrie, including the areas:
Brome-Missisquoi (460), La Haute-Yamaska (470), Rouville (550), Le Haut-Richelieu (560), La Vallée-du-Richelieu (570), Longueuil (58227), Marguerite-D’Youville (590), Roussillon (670), Les Jardins-de-Napierville (680), Le Haut-Saint-Laurent (690), Beauharnois-Salaberry (700).
ESTRIE: Sherbrooke (43027), Memphrémagog (450).
Québec's forest fire protection agency need to remain readily available for more emergent fire situations especially during this period of COVID-19.
Offenders could potentially receive fines ranging from 500$ to 50,000$ or more -
According to SOPFEU, the province has had 9 forest fires this season that began this past April 1st have affected 0.3 hectares. The average of the last ten years on the same date is 17 fires for an area of 8.9 hectares.
They also hope to remind landowners that the burning of waste poses a real threat to your properties and the surrounding forests. Remember that there are alternative, safe and ecological solutions to the burning of residual materials like composting until we wait for the return to normal, or until the time that local Eco-centers may reopen for collection.
Reminder: to report any forest fire call 1 800 463 FEUX or 911
As for hunting and fishing, all changes will be decided based upon on how the COVID-19 situation develops, so the Ministry of of Forests, Wildlife and Parks will continue to reserve their right to review decisions about hunting, fishing and trapping on an ongoing basis - in order to fully comply with the governmental directives in regard to COVID-19.
“Because of the current situation, we need to constantly remind users of the recommendations made by the Direction nationale de la santé publique to limit the spread of COVID-19. I am counting on the cooperation of hunters, fishers and trappers to follow all the rules that apply.”
(Pierre Dufour, Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions.)
Hunting, fishing and trapping licences are not available online.
However, they remain on sale at around half of the 1,100 selling agents where they can generally be obtained, which are often businesses providing essential services (grocery stores, convenience stores, service stations and other businesses).
Because of the current COVID-19 situation, instructional courses for aspiring hunters and trappers provided by MFFP mandataries have been suspended for the time being.
For more information about the suspension, contact the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs or the Fédération québécoise des trappeurs gestionnaires du Québec .
If you observe poaching or any action that harms wildlife or habitat, report it to a wildlife conservation officer by contacting SOS Poaching:
Telephone: 1 800 463-2191
