One of the fires raging near the city of Sept-Îles, on the North Shore, is currently about ten kilometers from residences, according to the latest estimates from authorities.
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“It’s not a flame factor that you have to look at,” tempered during a response to the Log Isabelle Gariépy, prevention and communications officer at SOPFEU, during a press briefing on Sunday.
“It’s a moving fire. There may be a time when there will be no flames, when it will feel like it’s just smoke,” she added.
Light 215 is north of Lac Daigle. According to the latest data available, it ravaged no less than 807 hectares.
The blazes 215 and 172, near Sept-Îles, are still considered “out of control”, according to SOPFEU.
Laurent Lavoie / JdeM
The Sûreté du Québec remains very present in the Saint-Famille sector. The Journal found that some vehicles were criss-crossing the streets on Saturday morning.
“The situation is developing in an encouraging way, indicated the mayor Steeve Beaupré, in a press briefing. The fire remains […] threatening to the municipality.”
Concerns remain, particularly with regard to the direction of the winds. Precipitation would be expected at the beginning of the week, potentially weakening the power of the flames, but the amounts of rain are less than what was apprehended.
During this time, the fire will be fought on the ground by SOPFEU firefighters, reported Isabelle Gariépy. Helicopter spraying is also planned.
Emergency maintained
The City of Sept-Îles also announced Sunday morning that it had extended the state of emergency for five days on its territory.
Evacuation orders affecting the Plages, Moisie and Lac Daigle sectors. The pre-alert for the Sainte-Famille sector is still valid, said Mayor Steeve Beaupré.
Some 4,500 people in total have been evacuated so far.
Earlier, the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, pointed out that a hundred members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be trained today. They could be active on the pitch as early as tonight.
A hundred police officers from the Sûreté du Québec are still deployed on the territory. “We had no reports,” said spokesman Marc Tessier.
Laurent Lavoie / JdeM
The mayor of Sept-Îles, Steve Beaupré.
Patients transported
It should be noted that measures have been taken to ensure the safety of certain patients in health establishments.
A total of 75 people were evacuated by air, from the Sept-Îles hospital center and the CHSLD of Sept-Îles. Also, 10 trips were made to the regions of Quebec and Montreal.
“All this took place in a period of 72 hours,” said Manon Asselin, CEO of the CISSS de la Côte-Nord.
*Clarification: SOPFEU estimated earlier in the day that the closest fire to the residences of Sept-Îles was 6 kilometers away. She later clarified that it was more like 10 kilometers