(Quebec) Quebec calls on the population to avoid or restrict travel in the forest as much as possible because of the “extreme flammability index”, at a time when the province is going through a first heat wave and a major fire has forced the evacuation of half of the village of Chapais, in Nord-du-Québec.
This recommendation concerns all of Quebec and aims to “reduce the risk of fire, facilitate the operations of the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) and ensure public safety”.
Remember that it is currently prohibited to make open fires in or near the forest throughout Quebec.
“Since May 28, the province has been facing a situation conducive to forest fires with high and dry temperatures as well as low precipitation throughout the territory,” write the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) and the Ministry of Public Security (MSP), in a joint press release.
Hope for Chapais
Thursday morning, the forest fire which forced the evacuation of half of the village of Chapais, in Nord-du-Québec, more than 400 people, was still out of control, indicates SOPFEU.
“Teams are still on the ground, because there is work that can be done even if the fire is considered out of control,” said a spokesperson for the organization, Josée Poitras. “We are preparing battle plans for the next few days. »
While the fire approached 4 km from the village of Chapais on Wednesday evening, a change in the direction of the wind now gives authorities hope that the village will be spared. “The fire could probably be heading, slightly, in a direction other than the town of Chapais, and that’s what we hope,” explains Josée Poitras.
The City of Chapais announced Thursday morning that the two schools (primary and secondary) in the municipality will remain closed on Thursday. “To citizens who have been evacuated: you will be informed of a possible return home at the appropriate time”, it also specifies.