In spring, as farmers prepare for the summer season, it's not uncommon to see brush fires in the fields. While this may seem alarming at first glance, Michel Bélanger, Director of the Saint-Clet Fire Department, urges the public to get informed before alerting the fire department.

Contacted by Néomédia after a citizen expressed concern about a fire on farmland on Route Cité-des-Jeunes in Saint-Clet, Michel Bélanger explains: “At this time of year, many farmers are cleaning up their land and nearby ditches. They remove weeds and burn them. It's important to understand that farmland is governed by the Commission de la protection des terres agricoles du Québec (CPTAQ), and other than issuing permits, municipalities have very little power in similar situations."

“It's certain that before starting to burn, farmland owners must apply to the municipality for a permit. They have rules to respect, including burning hours and distances. They must also make sure to extinguish everything in the evening. That said, if the CPTAQ authorizes the burning, the Town has no say in the matter,” continues Mr. Bélanger.

“It's quite rare that people don't ask for a permit. In the farming community, things work very well together, at least in the municipalities where I'm Fire Chief,” adds the man who is also Fire Chief at Rivière-Beaudette and Saint-Polycarpe. 

Be informed before alerting

Of course, every emergency service response, no matter how minor, requires the deployment of several resources and generates costs that are ultimately passed on to the public. That's why Michel Bélanger urges citizens to inform themselves rather than alert.

“People often see smoke in the distance and are worried.So they call the fire department to say there's a fire. When citizens see a brush or brush fire on farmland, especially at this time of year, I invite them to contact the municipality or the fire department directly and say they're calling to report a fire in a field.We'll be able to confirm whether or not a permit has been issued, and it'll save crews a trip for nothing.”