Concerns remain in Normétal, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, while the forest fire threatening the town evacuated since June 3 is still not contained. However, reinforcements arrive.
About forty New Brunswick firefighters will be able to assist the firefighters who are already on the scene. In addition, US tankers will also take part in the fight against the flames.
“The fire is active, still out of control. Yesterday saw some gains, it’s stable. The winds have been favourable, but today the winds are tending to shift and perhaps they will reignite the fire and push it back towards the Normétal,” explains Normand Lagrange, Director General of the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest.
No injuries or material losses were recorded either in Normétal or in Saint-Lambert, where also around 200 citizens were evacuated for a few days, reports our journalist Yves Poirier.
Local people are actively working to support SOPFEU to prevent fires from spreading should they spread.
“The strategy the SOFPEU teams proposed to the community was to dig a 40 meter wide ditch and moisten that part to prevent the fire from entering the community,” explains Normand Lagrange.