Quebec is struggling with wildfires but is still a vacation destination. How to stay safe.
Vermonters flock to Quebec in the summer for its cities and serene natural beauty, but this summer the province is struggling with forest fires that have wreaked havoc;elm:context_link;itc:0″ class=”link “forest fires that have wreaked havoc on northern lands.
Smoke from the forest fires in Quebec and other Canadian provinces has crossed borders and caused extreme air pollution in several U.S. cities, including Burlington. But how much of a concern are the fires and smoke to Vermonters hoping to take a Canadian summer vacation? Here’s a deeper look at what to consider when booking a trip to Quebec this summer.
Where are the wildfires in Quebec?
As of July 3, there were 67 active fires in Quebec, three of which are out of control and 25 of which are high-priority. The closest large forest fires to Montreal are six to seven hours north by car. They stand a similar distance from Quebec City.
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Recent weather has calmed the fires enough that wildlife reserves and forests are reopening and open fire bans have been lifted in all parks, according to Sépaq, Quebec’s parks and wildlife department. Certain national parks and reserves were closed during parts of June.
What is the air quality in Montreal and Quebec City?
Much like the conditions in Burlington, the air quality in Quebec’s tourism hubs is dependent on which way the wind blows.
Montreal and Quebec City have not had poor air quality every day this summer, but they had multiple days at the beginning and end