(Sept-Îles) The evacuation order in effect in Sept-Îles is maintained, even if fire 172 has not progressed towards the town it threatens. Faced with the growing frustration among residents forced to leave their homes since Friday, the authorities are calling for patience.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, the mayor of the municipality, Steeve Beaupré, confirmed that the evacuation orders in effect for the sectors of Moisie, Les Plages and Lac-Daigle will be extended until at least Monday.
“As soon as it is possible to safely reintegrate [votre foyer]you will be, be reassured,” said Mr. Beaupré, at a press conference at City Hall on Sunday morning.
The elected official recorded a voice message which was sent to the citizens of the city on Saturday evening in an attempt to reassure them.
“People are called upon to be patient. It is the safety of these people that comes first,” explained the minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne-Jourdain, alongside him.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne-Jourdain, the chief of the Uashat mak Mani-utenam band council, Mike Mckenzie, and the mayor of Sept-Îles, Steeve Beaupré.
Due to continued evacuation orders, schools are expected to be closed on Monday – a final decision was expected late morning on this.
The state of emergency triggered Friday morning has also been extended for another five days in Sept-Îles, but Mayor Beaupré stressed that this does not mean that evacuations will be extended in the same way.
On Saturday afternoon, approximately 100 Canadian Armed Forces personnel arrived in the area to help with firefighting operations. Sunday morning they were planning their deployment for the day.
Another hundred soldiers were expected in the area over the next few hours.
The noise circulated Sunday morning at the town hall that frustrated residents would come to demonstrate during the press briefing of the authorities. Sûreté du Québec patrols have been requested to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Meanwhile, Fire 172 is still progressing, but to the north. The fire will certainly not be contained on Sunday, said a spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU), Isabelle Gariépy.
Authorities are hoping for rain on Tuesday, which would help in their fight. Until then, the fight continues.
With The Canadian Press