The town of Val-D’Or is urgently evacuating people from the Lac Gueguen, Lac Matchi-Manitou and Lac Villebon sectors for the second time in a month as a forest fire intensifies.
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“It’s disheartening,” says Villebon outfitter owner Léonie Leblanc, who is busy organizing the departure of about fifty campers, chalet tenants and workers who have to pack.
All were forced to vacate the site before 7 p.m. Tuesday after the municipality issued an eviction order late Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve had clients who came for three days and I have to cancel. It’s a lot of hassle and a waste of money. “We don’t know which foot to dance on anymore,” Ms. Leblanc sighs.
” Out of control”
In a press release, the city of Val-D’Or says the evacuation will be in place “indefinitely.”
She claims that fire no. 297 is “out of control” again, according to the Society for the Protection of Forests from Fires (SOPFEU). The fire, which was triggered by lightning on June 1st, reached an area of 19,506 hectares, we can read on the SOPFEU website.
The three affected sectors were the subject of an evacuation order as early as June 3, which lasted for more than a week while the fire was brought under control.
The outfitter of Lac Villebon, but also the outfitter of Lac Matchi-Manitou and the outfitter of Lac Guéguen had to send their customers home for the first time.
A “worrying” situation
On Monday, Quebec Premier François Legault described the wildfire situation as “worrying” due to the dry weather and lack of rain.
A heatwave also hit the entire province, particularly northwestern Quebec.
Environment Canada is forecasting temperatures of around 30 degrees throughout the week in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Chibougamau region and areas near James Bay, encouraging a flare-up in fires.
No forest fire is currently threatening the urban area of the city of Val-d’Or, but the city specifies in its press release.
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