The chief of Opitciwan gave an update on the forest fire that was raging about twenty kilometers from the town of Atikamekw in Haute-Mauricie.
• Also read: ON VIDEO | Forest fire in Opitciwan in Haute-Mauricie
While the striking images published on social networks on Saturday raised fears of the worst, Jean-Claude Mequish wanted to reassure the population.
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“[Opitciwan] There is no risk of fire, but the smoke is very present in my community, it bothers us,” stresses Jean-Claude Mequish in an interview on LCN.
Local authorities have taken measures for Opitciwan’s vulnerable population and additionally recommend wearing an N95 mask.
“Nevertheless, we had instructed our members to confine themselves to their homes. I think it went down very well as we hardly saw anyone outside of the residences […] There was a team that did the distribution [de masques N95] in every residence,” he said.
Between 250 and 350 people at risk have already been evacuated from the community 300 kilometers north of La Tuque.
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Community members who have volunteered to fight the fire should take extra care, Mequish warned.
“The position we have taken […] It’s not about sending people out to fight fires, because that’s dangerous. But in fact there are still people who have dared to brave the fire […] I understand them very well, they are attached to their territory. I think that as Atikamekw and as indigenous people we have a privileged connection to our territory, but from then to the point of endangering their lives, we regret the behavior of some of our members.
No serious injuries were reported in the area affected by the fire.
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*Watch the interview in the video above*