The Billy-Diamond road, which connects several communities in Nord-du-Québec to the rest of the province, is now reopened. Residents of Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, Nemiscau and Chisasibi who had been evacuated can return to their homes.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault made the announcement Thursday, on the sidelines of an update on the situation of forest fires in the country.
Steven Guilbeault also announced that a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the United States has been made available to the Canadian government in order to remedy the delays experienced by air transport in the Nord-du-Québec region recently.
The Canadian Armed Forces also continue to lend a hand in the region, including transporting food, necessities and groceries.
“The situation in Quebec remains difficult,” said Steven Guilbeault, however. As of July 18, 105 fires were still active in the province, 82 of which were out of control. Including international aid and members of the armed forces, 951 firefighters are currently deployed in the province.