quebec fires bit.ly Forest fires raging in the province of Quebec sent smoke about 300 kilometers (186 miles) southwest, blanketing Montreal and extending as far away as Boston. Quebec officials have evacuated about 2000 people from their homes as firefighters battle 47 forest fires burning in Canada’s second-most populous province, including seven that are out of control. Most of the fires were caused by lightning strikes, said David Pelletier, a spokesman for the province’s civil security agency.