(Montreal) Evacuated in disaster last Tuesday, the residents of Chibougamau will be able to return home Monday morning, announced the mayor, Manon Cyr. The number of uncontrolled forest fires is decreasing in Quebec, but the level of flammability remains high in the north of the province and in Abitibi.
Starting Monday at 8 a.m., Route 167 will be reopened to traffic from La Dorée, allowing evacuated citizens to return home. The mayor of Chibougamau, Manon Cyr, made the announcement early Sunday afternoon on social networks.
“Forest fire 334 is treading water. It is not under control, it is not in control, so I repeat it to you, there is a risk of having smoke in the air”, she underlined, affirming “to follow the situation with the different partners from hour to hour”.
Earlier Sunday, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, had however announced that no lifting of the evacuation notice was planned “in the very short term”, in particular for the city of Chibougamau.
Tuesday evening, the municipality announced the evacuation of 7,500 residents, including those in the resort area. The Roberval arena, located 255 kilometers away, had been transformed into an emergency shelter.
“Things are looking up”
“I know that there are several citizens who are evacuated at the moment and who are anxious to know when they can return to their homes”, underlined from the outset Mme Blanchette Vézina, at a press conference on Sunday.
However, the situation remains too fragile around Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Jamésie, and Normétal, in Abitibi-Ouest, to advance a date of return home. In Chibougamau too, the flammability index does not yet allow the safe reintegration of residents, she had indicated.
“That said, things are looking up. That’s the good news. There is a decrease in the number of out-of-control fires,” said Ms.me Blanchette Vézina, adding that Quebec is moving “from a reactive mode to an offensive mode”.
Sunday morning, 118 fires were still active in the province. The number of uncontrolled fires rose to 44, down 28 from the previous day.
It will allow us to start looking for a return in certain communities, but not in the very short term.
The Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina
“We are in discussion, however, with communities for reintegration, possibly this week,” she continued.
The next two days will be decisive due to the winds and the flammability index which will remain high. The precipitation expected Tuesday across the province could, however, slow the progress of the fires.
In addition, the ban on making fires in or near the forest remains in force in several regions of Quebec. “There are analyzes that are done with the [Société de protection des forêts contre le feu] to see if there would be measures that could be reduced in certain sectors,” said Maïté Blanchette Vézina.
Stable situation in Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Senneterre
The fire that threatened the municipality of Normetal, located in Abitibi-Ouest, is now contained to 8454.8 hectares. “This means that the progression of the fire is stopped, at least for the moment. This is excellent news, ”announced the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU) on Sunday.
On Monday, 25 Canadian soldiers will be added to the field in support of New Brunswick firefighters already on site to fight the blaze.
“No one is allowed to go to their home,” said the city’s director general, Lyne Blanchet, on Facebook.
In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Jamésie, fire number 344 caused by lightning has not progressed for a few days. And the weather conditions remain favorable on Sunday, assured Mayor Guy Lafrenière.
A hundred firefighters from the United States will come to lend a hand to local teams fighting the major blaze. “The teams will arrive on June 13 and 14,” said Mr. Lafrenière. You have to be ready to receive them. Today, we are working on our plan. We did it last night. It is important to coordinate the steps well. »
Aware of the impatience of some evacuated citizens, the mayor recalled that the authorization to return to the city depends on the Forest Fire Protection Society and Public Security.
“To allow a return, we must ensure that the city and the factory [Nordic Kraft] are 100% safe. We must ensure that all citizens are safe,” he said.
South of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Senneterre, the situation is also stable, but remains unpredictable.
“We are surrounded by forest. The forest fires we have today are historic. We have never seen that in Quebec, and it will last all summer,” warned Marilyne Fournier, emergency measures coordinator for the City of Senneterre.
In order to reduce the risk of the fire spreading, citizens are invited to get rid of any combustible material or flammable product from their property.