(Montreal) The number of uncontrolled wildfires is decreasing in Quebec, but fire danger remains high in the north of the province and in Abitibi. For the evacuated communities, no reintegration of the residents is planned “at very short notice”.
Posted at 10:28 am. Updated at 12:03 p.m
“I know that there are several citizens who are currently being evacuated and want to know when they can return home,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Forests Maïté Blanchette Vézina at a press conference on Sunday.
However, the situation around Lebel-sur-Quévillon in Jamésie and Normétal in Abitibi-Ouest is still too fragile to set a date for returning home. In Chibougamau, too, the flammability index does not allow for the safe reintegration of residents. Should the evacuation order be lifted, the return of citizens will likely come in phases, she said.
“Nevertheless, things are going uphill. That’s the good news. “The number of runaway fires is decreasing,” Blanchette Vézina said, adding that Quebec is “moving from reactive to offensive mode.”
As of Sunday morning, 118 fires are still active in the province. The number of uncontrolled fires rose to 44, 28 fewer than the previous day.
“It will allow us to look for a return to specific communities, but not in the very short term.” On the other hand, we are in talks with communities about reintegration, possibly this week,” the minister said.
The next two days will be crucial due to the winds and the continued high flammability index. However, rainfall expected across the province on Tuesday should slow the progression of the fires.
In addition, bans on lighting fires in or near the forest remain in effect in several regions of Quebec. “There are analyzes that are carried out with the [Société de protection des forêts contre le feu] to see if there are measures that could be reduced in certain sectors,” said Maïté Blanchette Vézina.
Stable location in Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Senneterre
In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Jamésie, fire n. 344 caused by lightning has not progressed for a few days. Mayor Guy Lafrenière assured that the weather conditions would be favorable for the community on Sunday as well.
In addition, about 100 firefighters from across the United States will come to assist local teams in fighting the blaze. “The teams will arrive on June 13 and 14,” said Mr. Lafrenière. You must be ready to receive them. Today we are working on our plan. We did it last night. It is important to coordinate the steps well. »
Aware of the growing impatience of some evacuated citizens, the mayor reminded that permission to return to the city would depend on the Forest Fire Protection Society and public safety.
“To make a return possible, we need to make sure that the city and the factory [Nordic Kraft] are 100% safe. We need to make sure all citizens are safe,” he said.
In Senneterre, a town in Abitibi south of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, the situation is also stable but remains unpredictable.
“We are surrounded by forest. The wildfires we have today are historic. We’ve never seen that in Quebec and it’s going to continue throughout the summer,” warned Marilyne Fournier, the city of Senneterre’s emergency response coordinator.
In order to reduce the risk of fire spreading, citizens are encouraged to remove all combustible materials or combustible products from their property.