Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency is maintaining a high alert and a spokesperson said Tuesday the hot and dry weather descending on the province this week is a cause for concern.
The province on Sunday ordered a ban on open fires in forested areas, and on Tuesday the ban was extended to cover forests and nearby areas.
The territory affected by the ban was also extended Tuesday to include Montreal and several regions that surround it.
The agency, known as SOPFEU, works on forest fire prevention alongside the province’s Natural Resources Department.
Fire information officer Mélanie Morin said after a wet, rainy start to the season, the danger index was at “high” for the past two weeks and is now at “extreme,” where it is expected to remain until at least the end of the week….