SOPFEU issues fire ban, multiple fires in Swisha

June 1, 2026

caleb@theequity.ca

Quebec’s forest fire fighting agency SOPFEU issued an alert on June 1 advising the public that there is a ban on open fires in or near certain forests, as the Outaouais region is now in an extreme fire risk zone, and is expected to be for much of the week.

“The aim of this ban is to limit the risk of forest fires. Everyone’s cooperation is essential,” a statement from the organization reads. “Consequently, it is forbidden to set or maintain an open fire or to be in the vicinity of such an active fire.”

MRC Pontiac put out its own ban on open fires, echoing SOPFEU’s, as have several Pontiac municipalities. The Municipality of Thorne, however, has issued a complete ban on all outdoor fires.

Over the weekend, SOPFEU was called to a fire near Rapides-des-Joachims. Mayor Roger Lafond said the fire, near KM 4.5 of chemin Dumoine, destroyed three hunting camps. Lafond said that one man was injured at his property and went to hospital, but didn’t have any further information.

As of Monday, the fire was listed on SOPFEU’s website as being 1.7 hectares in size and under control.

While SOPFEU issues bans for public land, residents should check with their municipal fire service in regards to the local bylaws and regulations. More information, and an interactive map of fires throughout the province can be found on SOPFEU’s website.

THE EQUITY reached out to SOPFEU for more information but didn’t receive a response in time for print.

Lafond said that there was another fire in the municipality proper on Saturday, which was caused after the strong winds over the weekend downed a hydro wire. Laurentian Hills Fire Chief Kevin Waito confirmed he had been called to a fire in Rapides-des-Joachims on Saturday caused by a downed power line. He said his department was called back the following day, after the line was restarted, as it had caused the fire to start back up. Though Rapides-des-Joachims is in Quebec, the community of roughly 150 year-round residents relies on neighbouring municipalities in Ontario for fire and ambulance services.

As of Monday, since the start of the fire season there have been 177 fires across the province, impacting 180.7 hectares.

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