Quebec’s forest fire protection agency (SOPFEU) is urging caution as October’s unseasonably high temperatures and lack of wet weather have pushed the fire danger index to “very” and even “extreme” levels in parts of the province. The danger is particularly pronounced in the southwest of the province, from Pontiac to Montreal’s North Shore, and 75 forest fires have broken out since the start of the month. SOPFEU says 99 per cent of them were caused by human activity. …“Although the situation is under control, it remains a major challenge for the SOPFEU, as most of the seasonal staff — including wildland firefighters — had already completed their work period,” SOPFEU said in a news release. “The recall of several firefighters and auxiliary personnel made it possible to respond effectively to the large number of fires that have occurred over the past three weeks.”