Flames have engulfed over 10,000 km so far2 of Quebec forest in an “intensive zone”. The hot and dry weather expected in the coming days will further fuel this already historic inferno.
In comparison, the area burned on the same date on average over the last 10 years amounts to 77 km2.
Sunshine and temperatures around 30°C are expected until Sunday in northern Quebec. The 86 active fires should therefore regain strength.
“We are talking about forty fires that were contained and that can go out of control,” warned Wednesday morning the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina. She also warned that “the flammability index will go from very high to extreme for several sectors of Quebec”.
More than 14,000 people are currently fighting the fires, supported by some 20 air tankers and 79 helicopters.
Fire threatens Lebel-sur-Quévillon
In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Minister Blanchette Vézina pointed out that “the fire has merged with five others and we are talking about a fire that is three times the area of Lac Saint-Jean”.
The mayor of the municipality, Guy Lafrenière, recommended that those who have a place to stay outside the city go there now. The flames are raging next to the main road that gives access to the municipality.
That said, leaving town is a recommendation and not a new evacuation order. “You must be ready to evacuate at any time,” he insisted, however.
Intense smoke fills the air in the town of 2,000 people. This situation should last until Sunday and “could increase”, according to the mayor.
Last night, a section of about fifty kilometers of Route 113 was closed to traffic, between Senneterre and Lebel-sur-Quévillon, due to the presence of forest fires in the region.
Guy Lafrenière explained that if the fire makes one of the two axes of Route 113 inaccessible, an evacuation order will be given.
If the southern axis must close, the citizens will have to leave by the northern axis, and if the northern axis of the road becomes impassable, they will have to flee the municipality by the south.
The gravel road to Matagami is also an option.
Starting Wednesday, Route 113 will be closed at night until further notice.
With The Canadian Press