No holiday

Canada Day is just a short time away. And for many Quebecers, this year's national holiday won't be as colorful as it could have been. All because of forest fires. Provincial Minister of Natural Resources Maïté Blanchette Vézina said Tuesday that the ban on outdoor campfires, which is in effect for much of the province north of the St. Lawrence River, also applies to fireworks.

"It's important to understand that it would be sad and harmful if fireworks set off other fires that could get out of control," Vezina told the Quebec City Press.

Blanchette Vezina also asked residents of the province and the municipalities that organize the National Day to be prudent. After all, no one wants the celebration of such an important day to lead to a worsening of the situation with forest fires.

While provincial authorities are taking every precaution not to make the fires worse, and firefighters from all over the world have come to Canada's aid, the fire in Quebec is moving from north to south. There is hope that the St. Lawrence River will be a natural barrier to the wildfires. The lack of precipitation is not improving the situation either. Some of that very rainfall would make the situation much easier. "It will absolutely take rain to help the forest firefighters, It's the only way, it's really the rain that will make a difference in our case." — shares Lebel-sur-Quévillon Mayor Guy Lafrenière.