Côte-Nord

Fall 2025 is shaping up to be exceptionally beautiful, with warm temperatures and very little rainfall. This dry weather is causing forest fuels to dry out, a situation that could persist for some time.

Even though autumn is well underway, the risk of forest fires remains very real. Before lighting a fire in or near the forest, SOPFEU reminds the public to check whether an open fire ban is currently in effect and to ensure that local municipal regulations allow it.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, many plants lose their foliage, wither, and become highly flammable. Just a few hours of sunlight are enough to dry out fallen leaves and other small fuels that accumulate on the ground.

It is therefore important to remain vigilant when using fire and to check the fire danger index before entering the forest.

In autumn, the risk of forest fires remains significant. Seasonal recreational activities such as closing cottages, hunting, or burning leaves and plant debris are, each year, the cause of around forty wildfires in Québec.

Since Wednesday, SOPFEU has been responding to several new fires sparked by lightning during thunderstorms. Dry soils and vegetation have contributed to the ignition and early spread of these fires.

Weather conditions

Côte-Nord has experienced several days of dry, stormy weather, creating favourable conditions for lightning fires. In the coming days, showers are expected to help improve the situation, although some areas may receive less rainfall. Temperatures and humidity are not expected to reach critical levels. Of note: moderate to strong winds are expected tomorrow, which could influence the behaviour of active fires.

Suppression operations

SOPFEU teams are currently conducting various suppression operations:

• water bomber interventions on priority fires,

• targeted helicopter water drops,

• ground work by forest firefighters to contain, control, and extinguish active blazes.

Fires near Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles are either contained or under control, and do not pose an immediate threat to communities.

Public advisory

SOPFEU is asking residents of Côte-Nord to remain vigilant and adjust their behaviour according to fire danger conditions. Every action counts in reducing the risk of new ignitions.

With the arrival of September, autumn is already making its presence felt. Vegetation, now fully mature and combined with higher relative humidity, helps reduce the risk of wildfire. Shorter days limit daily drying, while cooler temperatures and morning dew naturally moisten the vegetation.

Despite this lull, vigilance remains necessary. In the fall, the wildfire risk persists, as vegetation begins to wither and fallen leaves on the ground can quickly dry out under the effect of wind and sunlight. This dry fuel can ignite easily and feed surface fires.

Summer conditions are prevailing in these regions. Under these conditions, surface fires (dead leaves, dry grasses, etc.) are less common as greenery and leaf-out of trees and shrubs are complete. However, any fires that may occur are likely to burn deeper and with greater intensity.

With the snow cover now gone from the area, spring conditions that are conducive to vegetation fires are now present. In the spring, as soon as the weather improves, extra caution is needed. Dead vegetation (brush, dead leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

With the snow cover now gone across the territory, spring conditions that favour vegetation fires are now present. In spring, as soon as the weather improves, it’s important to remain vigilant. Dead vegetation (brush, dead leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with just a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

With the snow cover now gone across the territory, spring conditions that favour vegetation fires are now present. In spring, as soon as the weather improves, it’s important to remain vigilant. Dead vegetation (brush, dead leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with just a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

Call for Caution

During the week of May 26, fire danger ratings are expected to rise to “Extreme” in several areas due to weather conditions. As a result, SOPFEU has issued a call for caution for the region.

Preventive Measures

SOPFEU has suspended the issuance of industrial burning permits in high-risk sectors. The agency is also encouraging municipalities to do the same for domestic burning.

An open fire ban has been issued by the Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with SOPFEU. This ban takes effect on May 28 at 8:00 a.m., and applies to the northern part of the region.

Additionally, SOPFEU has recommended that its members and forest-based industries limit forestry operations as of May 28, in the same area where the open fire ban is in place.

With the snow cover now gone from the area, spring conditions that favour vegetation fires are now present. In the spring, as soon as fair weather arrives, it’s important to stay vigilant. Dead vegetation (brush, dead leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with just a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

Call for Caution

During the week of May 26, fire danger ratings are expected to reach "Extreme" in several areas due to weather conditions. As a result, SOPFEU has issued a call for caution for the region.

When SOPFEU issues a "call for caution," it means that weather forecasts indicate not only conditions that are favourable to the outbreak of wildfires, but also to high-intensity fires that can spread rapidly. SOPFEU is closely monitoring the situation, as it anticipates the outbreak of several new fires in the coming days.

With snow cover having melted across much of the territory, spring conditions that are conducive to vegetation fires are now present. As a result, SOPFEU has begun issuing the fire danger index in these areas. However, snow cover is still present in forested areas located farther north in the region.

In the spring, as soon as the warm weather arrives, it’s important to remain vigilant. Dead vegetation—such as brush and fallen leaves—can dry out very quickly with just a bit of sun and wind, making it highly flammable.

The rest of Quebec is still experiencing winter conditions, with substantial snow cover remaining in forested areas. In these northern regions, the wildfire risk is currently non-existent.

It’s important to remember that May is especially prone to the outbreak of vegetation fires. Contrary to popular belief, the greatest number of wildfires in Quebec occurs in May.

Indeed, in spring, as soon as the weather improves, it's important to stay alert. Dead vegetation (like brush, dry leaves, etc.) tends to dry out very quickly with even a bit of sun and wind, becoming highly flammable.

Le couvert de neige est toujours très présent en forêt dans la région de la Côte-Nord. Le risque de feux de forêt y est donc inexistant. La diffusion de l’indice du danger d’incendie pour cette région n’est donc pas encore commencée.