Latest news with #SOPFEU
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Canada wildfire: Quebec sends firefighters and water bombers to aid Western Canada as wildfires force mass evacuations
AP A Quebec CL-415 water bomber, previously deployed in Labrador, now joins the fight against raging wildfires across Western Canada, as thousands flee their homes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Quebec has stepped in to help neighbouring provinces battling severe wildfires, as flames driven by a late-May heat wave continue to spread across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Premier François Legault announced on Sunday(June 1) that a specialized management team will head to Alberta on Tuesday, and three sections of 20 firefighters each will join Manitoba's efforts to contain the blazes. Two CL-415 water bombers from Quebec are already operating in Saskatchewan, while two others have been deployed to Ontario to assist where needed. Also read: No rain in sight as Manitoba grapples with raging wildfires; 17,000 evacuated Across the Prairies, extraordinarily hot, dry conditions have fueled more than 80 active fires. Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared states of emergency this week, and Alberta is juggling 51 fires that threaten both remote forests and oil operations. In Manitoba alone, Premier Wab Kinew confirmed roughly 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as crews battle 23 active blazes in the north. In Saskatchewan, at least 4,000 residents were evacuated by May 28 as fires closed roads and crept toward small Winnipeg, evacuees streamed into repurposed shelters and friends' homes, uncertain where they would spend the night. 'It's hard on everybody,' said Richard Korte, a school maintenance technician who fled Flin Flon with his wife and disabled son. From a temporary emergency shelter inside a hockey arena, evacuee Chris Schultz sat in his pickup with his dog, Stella, watching for friends and relatives arriving by bus. 'I might break out crying,' he admitted, 'but Stella makes life a bit easier for some of us.' Also read: Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border First Nations communities in northern Manitoba have felt an acute sense of urgency as fires surround isolated reserves. Some elders and people with mobility challenges have been airlifted to safety, though heavy smoke grounded at least one charter flight. Evacuees described frustration at long waits for bus rides and limited hotel space, prompting Indigenous leaders to call for priority accommodations in southern communities. While Quebec has no active fires within its intensive protection zone and has lifted a ban on open fires in the north, Legault emphasized solidarity on social media. 'Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are going through difficult times with forest fires. Premiers Scott Moe, Danielle Smith, Wab Kinew and Doug Ford can count on our help and that of SOPFEU. We are with you wholeheartedly,' he wrote, noting that Quebec's Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel is 'closely monitoring the situation here' and that recent rainfall prompted the decision to send aid . Quebec's rapid response echoes mutual assistance calls from western premiers. 'We need to stay calm,' Kinew told reporters. 'We cannot thank other jurisdictions enough,' he said, referring to firefighting crews arriving from Quebec, Ontario, and the United States, which have dispatched air tankers and 150 firefighters to Manitoba.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Canada wildfire: Quebec sends firefighters and water bombers to aid Western Canada as wildfires force mass evacuations
Quebec has stepped in to help neighbouring provinces battling severe wildfires, as flames driven by a late-May heat wave continue to spread across Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Premier François Legault announced on Sunday(June 1) that a specialized management team will head to Alberta on Tuesday, and three sections of 20 firefighters each will join Manitoba's efforts to contain the blazes. Two CL-415 water bombers from Quebec are already operating in Saskatchewan, while two others have been deployed to Ontario to assist where needed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Newly Announced Veteran Benefits For 2025 (Updated List) Veteran Deals Today Learn More Also read : No rain in sight as Manitoba grapples with raging wildfires; 17,000 evacuated The wildfire situation Live Events Across the Prairies, extraordinarily hot, dry conditions have fueled more than 80 active fires. Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared states of emergency this week, and Alberta is juggling 51 fires that threaten both remote forests and oil operations. In Manitoba alone, Premier Wab Kinew confirmed roughly 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes as crews battle 23 active blazes in the north. In Saskatchewan, at least 4,000 residents were evacuated by May 28 as fires closed roads and crept toward small communities. In Winnipeg, evacuees streamed into repurposed shelters and friends' homes, uncertain where they would spend the night. 'It's hard on everybody,' said Richard Korte, a school maintenance technician who fled Flin Flon with his wife and disabled son. From a temporary emergency shelter inside a hockey arena, evacuee Chris Schultz sat in his pickup with his dog, Stella, watching for friends and relatives arriving by bus. 'I might break out crying,' he admitted, 'but Stella makes life a bit easier for some of us.' Also read : Out of control wildfire explodes across BC-Alberta border Situation of evacuees First Nations communities in northern Manitoba have felt an acute sense of urgency as fires surround isolated reserves. Some elders and people with mobility challenges have been airlifted to safety, though heavy smoke grounded at least one charter flight. Evacuees described frustration at long waits for bus rides and limited hotel space, prompting Indigenous leaders to call for priority accommodations in southern communities. Support and aid While Quebec has no active fires within its intensive protection zone and has lifted a ban on open fires in the north, Legault emphasized solidarity on social media . 'Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are going through difficult times with forest fires. Premiers Scott Moe, Danielle Smith, Wab Kinew and Doug Ford can count on our help and that of SOPFEU. We are with you wholeheartedly,' he wrote, noting that Quebec's Public Safety Minister François Bonnardel is 'closely monitoring the situation here' and that recent rainfall prompted the decision to send aid . Quebec's rapid response echoes mutual assistance calls from western premiers. 'We need to stay calm,' Kinew told reporters. 'We cannot thank other jurisdictions enough,' he said, referring to firefighting crews arriving from Quebec, Ontario, and the United States, which have dispatched air tankers and 150 firefighters to Manitoba.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Quebec lifts ban on open fires in forests
The Ministry of Public Safety lifted the ban on open fires in or near forests. The measure had been in effect since Wednesday in regions north of Quebec City. Open fires were prohibited in certain areas of Nord-du-Québec, Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mauricie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie. The ban was lifted at 8 p.m. on Friday. The Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) reported on Saturday that there were no active forest fires in Quebec's intensive protection zone. Since the start of the protection season, 104 fires have affected 105.8 hectares in the intensive zone, according to SOPFEU. 'The average for the last 10 years on the same date is 195 fires affecting 253.8 hectares of forest,' SOPFEU said in a news release. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French May 31, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Quebec lifts open fire ban, reports no active blazes in key zone
QUÉBEC - Quebec's Public Security Department says it has lifted its open fire ban in or near forests and says there no active fires in the intensive protection zone. Authorities say the decision to lift the ban was taken in conjunction with the province's forest fire protection agency, known as SOPFEU. Since the beginning of the forest fire season, the province has reported 104 blazes affecting more than a square kilometre of forest in the zone where fire protection resources are deployed systematically. By comparison, the 10-year average on the same date is 195 fires and about 2.5 square kilometres burned. Fire danger indicators had reached extreme levels in several parts of the province, but periods of rain in the forecast should bring those indicators down. The province says the ban was lifted as of Friday evening. The conditions in Quebec have allowed the province to deploy two CL-415 firefighting aircraft and their crews to Saskatchewan and two others to Ontario. The fire protection agency says it has also sent a Navajo PA31 twin-engined aircraft equipped with a VeriMap infrared detection system to help with the Ontario blazes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Quebec lifts open fire ban, reports no active blazes in key zone
QUÉBEC – Quebec's Public Security Department says it has lifted its open fire ban in or near forests and says there no active fires in the intensive protection zone. Authorities say the decision to lift the ban was taken in conjunction with the province's forest fire protection agency, known as SOPFEU. Since the beginning of the forest fire season, the province has reported 104 blazes affecting more than a square kilometre of forest in the zone where fire protection resources are deployed systematically. By comparison, the 10-year average on the same date is 195 fires and about 2.5 square kilometres burned. Fire danger indicators had reached extreme levels in several parts of the province, but periods of rain in the forecast should bring those indicators down. The province says the ban was lifted as of Friday evening. The conditions in Quebec have allowed the province to deploy two CL-415 firefighting aircraft and their crews to Saskatchewan and two others to Ontario. Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. The fire protection agency says it has also sent a Navajo PA31 twin-engined aircraft equipped with a VeriMap infrared detection system to help with the Ontario blazes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025.
