Victims of the village of Clova in Haute-Mauricie are asking for help to prevent new forest fires after roads reopened in that sector.
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“There are still fires. We didn’t have much rain, we’re talking millimeters here,” says Dominic Vincent, owner of the Auberge Restaurant Clova in the village of just under 40 people, eight hours’ drive from Montreal.
On Wednesday, Quebec partially lifted the ban on access to the forest in the area, which is also home to several chalets and outfitters.
PROVIDED BY DOMINIC VINCENT
Increased risks
“We’re excited to see the world, only we were out of gear. […] More people also means more people who can make fires,” emphasizes Mr Vincent, who fears the heat wave announced next week.
“It’s nothing very reassuring, they’re not announcing rain, a lot of wind, a lot of heat,” he said.
Ten days ago, Quebec Premier François Legault caused an uproar when he claimed he had “lost control” and that we should reconcile “let Clova burn”.
The fact that the village was relatively spared is partly due to the residents who voluntarily helped SOPFEU with their own equipment, says Mr. Vincent.
In the small village of Clova, which was spared from the wildfires on June 15, 2023, the air was still smoky. PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOMINIC VINCENT
left to their own devices
Residents of the small village have started a GoFundMe page to collect donations for the understaffed SOPFEU firefighters.
“The village is left to its own devices, without any protection, apart from the mutual aid and solidarity of the citizens, who provide their own equipment to allow the rescue of the chalets and their village,” the site reads.
Eight chalets have already been devastated by the flames, it is said.
Mr. Vincent points out that with wildfires of this magnitude across the province, resources are becoming scarce.
“It reduces the concentration of gear by region,” he explains.
He urges people to respect the open fire ban in place throughout the La Tuque conurbation.
