A small forest fire has been put out in a provincial park west of Montreal, signalling an early start to the 2024 wildfire season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A small forest fire has been put out in a provincial park located west of Montreal, marking an early beginning to Quebec's 2024 wildfire season.
According to a spokesperson for Quebec's forest fire prevention society, known as SOPFEU, the fire erupted on Saturday in Oka Park and was likely triggered by a discarded cigarette.
Stéphane Caron, the SOPFEU representative, informed that the blaze covered an area of 2.1 hectares and was promptly extinguished by local fire departments. Firefighters from SOPFEU arrived on Sunday morning to address any remaining smoldering spots.
Caron noted that the forest fire season typically commences in mid-April but has started earlier this year due to a winter with less snowfall. With the spring season underway, the forest floor is littered with dead leaves and branches, posing an increased risk of ignition from sources like cigarette sparks or improperly extinguished burn piles.
While the early onset of spring indicates a longer fire season, Caron stated that it is premature to determine whether the season will be more severe than usual. He emphasized that the extent of the fire season will largely hinge on the precipitation levels in April.
Oka's fire chief, Sylvain Johnson, reported that the fire erupted around 7 p.m. on Saturday near the Calvaire d'Oka, a mountainous area within the park. Firefighters utilized all-terrain vehicles to reach the blaze, which was finally contained around 1 a.m. with the assistance of firefighters from neighboring municipalities like Pointe-Calumet and St-Joseph-du-Lac.
Quebec witnessed a record-breaking forest fire season in 2023, during which approximately 4.5 million hectares of forest were engulfed in flames. SOPFEU disclosed that this area, which encompassed 1.1 million hectares in inhabited regions, surpassed the total area affected by wildfires over the previous two decades combined.
The incident highlights the importance of early vigilance and preventative measures to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution, particularly in forested areas, and to adhere to fire safety guidelines to prevent the outbreak of fires.
As the wildfire season progresses, SOPFEU and local fire departments will remain vigilant and proactive in monitoring forested areas and responding swiftly to any reports of wildfires. Through collaborative efforts and public awareness initiatives, stakeholders aim to minimize the impact of wildfires and safeguard both natural landscapes and communities from the devastation they can inflict.
