Firefighters from the U.S. and France assist with northern Quebec wildfires

Wildfires continue to burn in northern Quebec. American and French firefighters will assist local crews. (SOPFEU)

Firefighters from the U.S. and France will aid local crews in Quebec with the wildfires raging in the northwestern part of the province.

The Quebec forest fire prevention agency (SOPFEU) said that 18 Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire forest firefighters arrived on Friday to join the visiting crews from New Brunswick, Alberta, B.C., and Prince Edward Island, who are already in the province.

In addition, 42 French firefighters and one crew leader from the International Union of Wildland Firefighters (UISF) will arrive in the province on Saturday.

SOPFEU is tracking 180 active wildfires in Quebec, including 18 in the “intensive protection zone” in the southern part of the province.

“Several of these fires are burning deep in the organic soil, making suppression efforts more challenging and time-consuming,” the agency said.

“The arrival of these qualified and experienced firefighters will help SOPFEU respond to this significant increase in operational demands.”

In an average year, the provincial average for fires in northern Quebec is 50, making the current numbers alarming.

There is currently an open fire ban in the following regions:

• North of Quebec
• Lanaudiere
• Laurentians
• Mauricie
• Outaouais
• Abitibi-Tamiscamingue
• Cote-Nord

Montreal Public Health said on Friday that poor air quality is probable on the weekend due to the wildfires.