The Fortier River valley is served by the R1051 forest road (east-west), which runs north.

The surface of the Fortier River is usually frozen from early November to mid-May, however, safe ice circulation is generally from mid-November to mid-April.

The Fortier River originated in Eeyou Istchee James Bay (municipality), at the mouth of an unidentified lake (length: 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) altitude: 418 metres (1,371 ft)).

The mouth of this lake is located at 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) south-west of the summit of a mountain (elevation: 502 metres (1,647 ft)) which straddles the boundary of the townships of Picquet and Urban.

The toponym "Fortier River" was officialized on December 5, 1968, at the Commission de toponymie du Québec, when it was created.