Quebec Wildfires
About wildfires in Quebec
Quebec's immense northern boreal forest can produce enormous wildfires, most of them sparked by lightning in remote, sparsely populated regions. While many burn far from communities, the smoke can travel vast distances and affect air quality across eastern North America.
The 2023 fire season was unprecedented: hundreds of fires burned millions of hectares across Quebec, forcing evacuations and sending thick smoke as far as New York City, Washington, and beyond — turning skies orange and triggering air-quality alerts for tens of millions of people.
Our satellite tracker monitors every fire hotspot detected across Quebec in real time, from the St. Lawrence valley to the far north.
Quebec wildfire season
Quebec's wildfire season runs through the summer (roughly May–September), driven largely by lightning in the vast northern boreal forest. Most large fires burn in remote areas, but hot, dry, and windy spells can rapidly expand them.
The historic 2023 season showed how far the impact can reach: smoke from Quebec's fires blanketed much of eastern North America for weeks.
Notable wildfires in history
- 2023 Record 2023 Season
An unprecedented season burned millions of hectares, forced evacuations, and sent thick smoke across eastern North America, turning skies orange over New York City.
- 2013 Northern Quebec Fires
A severe northern fire season sent smoke over southern Quebec and the northeastern U.S., an early sign of the smoke-transport events to come.
- 2010 Central Quebec Fires
Large boreal fires in central Quebec forced the evacuation of northern communities and drifted smoke south into populated areas.
Main causes & risk factors
- Frequent summer lightning across the vast boreal forest
- Hot, dry, and windy spells that expand remote fires fast
- Enormous, continuous stretches of flammable boreal forest
- Drought years that prime the north to burn
- A warming climate intensifying fire seasons
Safety & preparedness
- Check SOPFEU (Quebec's forest fire agency) for fire danger and open-fire bans
- Sign up for local and provincial emergency alerts
- Track the Air Quality Health Index — Quebec smoke can affect areas far downwind
- Limit outdoor activity and use a good mask indoors during heavy smoke
- Report a forest fire immediately by calling 1-800-463-3389
Frequently asked questions
When is wildfire season in Quebec?
Mainly summer, roughly May through September, when lightning ignites fires across the northern boreal forest.
Why was Quebec's 2023 fire season so significant?
It was unprecedented, burning millions of hectares and sending smoke across eastern North America, turning New York City's skies orange.
Do Quebec wildfires affect the United States?
Yes — smoke from Quebec's boreal fires can drift far south, affecting air quality across the northeastern and midwestern U.S.
Where does this map's fire data come from?
Every hotspot comes from NASA's FIRMS system, using VIIRS satellites that detect active fires several times a day.
Is this Quebec wildfire map free?
Yes — it's completely free and needs no sign-up. You can track active fires across Quebec and the world in real time.