1687654702 ON VIDEO Major forest fire in Opitciwan in Haute Mauricie

ON VIDEO | Major forest fire in Opitciwan in Haute-Mauricie

A major forest fire is raging in the municipality of Opitciwan, threatening some cottages in the area.

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A firefighter, along with our reporter Kevin Crane-Desmarais, tells how the fire spread.

“At 5 p.m. the fire started to break out quite violently […] We’ve had people who were watering, but those who had pickup trucks we told them to get out […] There were five of us, six of us staying to watch the chalets so they didn’t catch fire,” said Dave Pitikwi.

The impressive pictures show citizens of the 3,000-strong community panicking at the rapid spread of the flames.

ON VIDEO Major forest fire in Opitciwan in Haute Mauricie

VAT News

The man asks the SOPFEU teams for help, but also for better quality equipment.

“We water […] We would need help especially with equipment, pumps, but above all more powerful pumps and [tuyaux d’arrosage]’ he asks.

1687654697 629 ON VIDEO Major forest fire in Opitciwan in Haute Mauricie

VAT News

The municipality of Opitciwan is 300 km north of La Tuque.

*See the pictures in the video above*