An “out of control” forest fire is currently threatening the City of Port-Cartier. The flames are located 15 kilometers from the municipality, forcing the evacuation of two sectors north of Route 138.
According to the Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (SOPFEU), a cluster of three forest fires currently “out of control” is spreading north of the City of Port-Cartier.
The “most threatening” fire is located more than ten kilometers from the municipality and has already reduced nearly 1,000 hectares of forest to ashes. Its flames are visible from the towns of Port-Cartier, Sept-Îles and the Uashat reserve.
The two other fires in the area are believed to be around Walker Lake and have ravaged more than 1,000 hectares of forest. The SOPFEU major fire management team will be deployed over the next few hours.
Another “out of control” fire is underway north of Sept-Îles. More than 180 hectares have already burned.
No rain is forecast in this area before next Wednesday and the “fairly dry” temperatures will not improve the situation. According to SOPFEU, all of these fires were started by lightning.
Air tankers were also dispatched to a fire still “out of control” very close to the municipality of Chevery where there are nearly 220 inhabitants.
In total, seven fires are currently listed in the intensive zone and twelve in the northern zone.