Sad news for Montreal. Acrid smoke covered Sunday the second city of Canada with a veil due to the forest fires still active in the country. Montreal is the city with the most polluted air in the world, according to a specialized company. A smog warning issued by Environment Canada is in effect in several regions of Quebec.
“It’s really like a fog, except that it’s smoke from the forest fires. It’s really hard to breathe, it stings the eyes a little too ”, notes Fauve Lepage Vallée, 18 years old. With her friend, she observes the smoky downtown from Parc Jean-Drapeau, located opposite. Concerts were to take place there on Sunday afternoon, but they have been cancelled.
Wearing a mask is recommended and outdoor activities are not recommended until Monday. “The Emergency Measures Coordination Committee asks us to close swimming pools, paddling pools and outdoor sports facilities at least until Monday noon,” wrote Luc Rabouin, mayor of the borough of Plateau-Mont-Blanc, on Twitter. Royal in Montreal.
Rain in “significant quantity” expected Monday or Tuesday
81 forest fires are active in Quebec, 27 of which are considered out of control. Several fires progressed during the weekend, due to dry weather and high temperatures. “The amount of smoke makes it particularly difficult for tankers and helicopters to intervene,” according to the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu du Québec (SOPFEU), which indicates that rain “in significant quantities” is expected. Monday or Tuesday over the northwest of the province.
On Wednesday, 119 French firefighters must arrive in Quebec to relay their compatriots on the ground since the beginning of June. As for the first French sent to Quebec, their mission will last 21 days. Across the country, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center (CIFFC) lists 470 active fires, including 244 out of control. Canada is living through an unprecedented year, with more than 7.4 million hectares burned since the beginning of January.