According to the Quebec government, the Normal community in Abitibi-Ouest has been virtually surrounded by a wildfire for the past few hours. Reinforcement teams are on site to try to “save the community”.
Posted at 10:20am. Updated at 11:30am
“We’ve had a fire for a few hours that’s almost surrounding Normalmétal. “All our teams are on the ground: tankers, additional reinforcements on the New Brunswick side to help us intensively and ensure that the municipality of Normétal is saved,” said Public Security Minister François Bonnardel at a press conference on Saturday morning .
Fire number 281 has an area of 84.55 square kilometers (8455 hectares). “The perimeter has not grown, we are still 500 meters away [de la municipalité] said Bruno Pelletier, director of natural resources and energy development in New Brunswick.
A total of 74 firefighters are on site and a stop line is being set up with three bulldozers and three excavators to stem the spread of the fire. However, Bruno Pelletier claims that Normal is not surrounded by flames.
An imposing fire in Lebel-sur-Quévillon
In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Jamésie, fire n. 344, caused by lightning, is located about two kilometers from the Nordic Kraft plant and five kilometers from the commune.
This fire has an area of 1324 square kilometers (132,404 hectares). “It is certainly the worst fire in Quebec territory at this time,” stated Mr. Bonnardel.
The approximately 2,100 residents could not return to their homes until next week, Mayor Guy Lafrenière said at a press conference on Friday.
In Chibougamau, the fire is stagnant
The winds played in favor of Chibougamau, Chapais and Mistissini where the situation is more stable. “It is a fire that is stagnant and not gaining momentum,” said Minister Bonnardel. The fire is about 15 kilometers from the communities. On Friday, favorable winds drove the fire away from Chibougamau and the flank of the fire that was threatening the Mistissini Aboriginal community was contained.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, THE PRESS
The Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel
Currently, 13,810 people have been evacuated across Quebec. “The situation will remain complicated until Monday,” Minister Bonnardel said.
As of Saturday morning, 133 wildfires were still active in Quebec. “The battle is not won,” Minister Bonnardel said. More than 861 fighters are being reinforced in Quebec, including Canadian Forces soldiers and French firefighters.
“A Certain Repose” in Senneterre
In Senneterre, a town in Abitibi south of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Mayor Nathalie Ann Pelchat expected “some calm” on Saturday. “The wildfire situation is very stable,” but “air quality is being monitored.”
She continues to urge residents to clean up their land to reduce the risk of the fire spreading. The ban on walking in the woods, lighting open fires, and navigating on area waters remains in place as long as a dam remains in place on Route 113.
Trenches have been dug in certain sectors to secure the urban environment and new trenches will be added on Saturday, the mayor said.
With Lila Dussault and Henri Ouellette-Vézina, La Presse