Provincial status report

Although slightly later than usual, the wildfire season has officially begun, with over ten fires reported since the start of spring. The tenth fire is, in fact, a benchmark used by SOPFEU to mark the true beginning of wildfire season in Quebec.

The first fire of the season occurred in the municipality of Sutton, in the Estrie region, on April 15. The tenth fire was fought on April 24 in the municipality of Racine, also located in Estrie.

SOPFEU began gradually publishing the fire danger index on April 3, 2025, in regions where the snow cover has disappeared. Currently, the fire danger index is being published for the following regions:

• Estrie

• Montérégie

• Centre-du-Québec

• Montréal

• Laval

• Chaudière-Appalaches

As well as for parts of the following regions:

• Outaouais

• Laurentides

• Lanaudière

• Mauricie

• Capitale-Nationale

• Bas-Saint-Laurent

• Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

• Abitibi–Témiscamingue

• Gaspésie - Îles de la Madeleines

The rest of Quebec is still experiencing winter conditions, with snow still covering the forests. In these more northern regions, the risk of wildfires is currently non-existent.

In the spring, as soon as the nice weather sets in, we must stay alert. Dead vegetation (brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with a bit of sunshine and wind. It then becomes highly flammable.

Although slightly later than usual, the wildfire season has officially begun, with over ten fires reported since the start of spring. The tenth fire is, in fact, a benchmark used by SOPFEU to mark the true beginning of wildfire season in Quebec.

The first fire of the season occurred in the municipality of Sutton, in the Estrie region, on April 15. The tenth fire was fought on April 24 in the municipality of Racine, also located in Estrie.

SOPFEU began gradually publishing the fire danger index on April 3, 2025, in regions where the snow cover has disappeared. Currently, the fire danger index is being published for the following regions:

• Estrie

• Montérégie

• Centre-du-Québec

• Montréal

• Laval

• Chaudière-Appalaches

As well as for parts of the following regions:

• Outaouais

• Laurentides

• Lanaudière

• Mauricie

• Capitale-Nationale

• Bas-Saint-Laurent

• Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

• Abitibi–Témiscamingue

The rest of Quebec is still experiencing winter conditions, with snow still covering the forests. In these more northern regions, the risk of wildfires is currently non-existent.

In the spring, as soon as the nice weather sets in, we must stay alert. Dead vegetation (brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with a bit of sunshine and wind. It then becomes highly flammable.

SOPFEU began issuing the fire danger index on April 3, 2025, in southern regions where the snow cover had fully disappeared, namely Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec.

Since then, SOPFEU’s team of meteorologists has been monitoring the daily snowmelt in order to expand the area covered by the fire danger index. The regions of Montréal, Laval, and Chaudière-Appalaches have since been added, along with parts of Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale, and Bas-Saint-Laurent.

The rest of the province is still experiencing winter conditions, with snow still present in forested areas, which means the risk of wildfires remains non-existent.

The first wildfire of the season occurred in the municipality of Sutton, in the Estrie region, on April 15. This is considered relatively late compared to the seasonal average.

In spring, as soon as the nice weather returns, it’s important to stay alert. Dead vegetation—such as dry grass, brush, and dead leaves—can dry out very quickly with just a bit of sun and wind, becoming highly flammable.

SOPFEU began publishing the Fire Danger Index on April 3, 2025, in the southern regions of the province—specifically where the snow cover has completely melted. This includes Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec. As soon as warm weather sets in, we need to stay vigilant. In spring, dead vegetation (such as dry grass and dead leaves) tends to dry out very quickly with just a bit of sunshine and wind, making it highly flammable.

The rest of Quebec is still experiencing winter conditions, with snow still present in the forested areas. As a result, the risk of wildfires in those regions is currently non-existent.

SOPFEU began broadcasting the Fire Danger Index on April 3, 2025, in the southern regions where the snow cover has completely disappeared. These regions include Estrie, Montérégie, and Centre-du-Québec. In these areas, the fire risk remains low for now. However, as soon as the warm weather arrives, vigilance will be required. In the spring, dead vegetation (brush, dead leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

The rest of Quebec remains under winter conditions, with snow still covering the forests. As a result, the wildfire risk is non-existent in these areas.

Since the start of the wildfire protection season, no fires have been reported in Quebec.