[PHOTOS] Chalet razed by forest fires: “It’s a part of us that went up in smoke”

For a father from Lac-Saint-Jean, the photos of his chalet ravaged by a forest fire represent more than 30 years of family memories gone up in smoke, but above all the sudden end of the new chapter he had begun to write there with his wife and two sons.

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Triggered on Thursday 1^er June, the fire progressed rapidly before completely razing Jean-Claude Paquet’s chalet, located a little further north of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.

“Saturday afternoon, I received photos of people who had stayed in the area and it was almost certain that my chalet was going to be there. When I received the other photos on Sunday, that’s when I saw that the damage had been done”, underlines the one who lives in Albanel.

“It was quite a shock”

The chalet had been in Jean-Claude Paquet’s family for more than 30 years and the man had bought it from relatives a year ago.

It is therefore not just the loss of a simple chalet for him. It is also many memories, including those of several family Christmases in what he affectionately calls his “little corner of paradise”, which go up in smoke.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

What is the air quality index in your city and what are the health recommendations derived from it?

Air Quality Index (AQI US)

101-150

Bad

sensitive people

AQI: GOOD

Great day to be active outdoors.

AQI: MODERATE

Some people may be particularly sensitive to fine particle pollution

Particularly sensitive people: Consider reducing the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to slow down.

All the others : Great day to be active outdoors.

AQI: BAD for
sensitive people

Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, the elderly, children and adolescents, minority populations and outdoor workers.

Sensitive groups: Reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activities. It’s okay to be active outside, but take more breaks. Pay attention to symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual tiredness may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.

AQI: BAD
for everyone

Sensitive people: Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*

All the others : Reduce the duration and intensity of activities. Take more breaks from outdoor activities.

*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

AQI: VERY BAD

Sensitive people: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Postpone it to a time when the air quality is better or move activities indoors.*

All the others : Avoid prolonged or strenuous activities. Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors.*

*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

AQI: CRITICAL

All the others : Avoid all physical activity outdoors.

Sensitive people: Stay indoors and maintain a reduced activity level. Follow tips for keeping particulate levels low indoors.*

*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying indoors with the windows closed can be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go to a place with air conditioning or check with your municipality to see if cooling centers are available in your community.

“I will always remember that when I was a teenager, I finished school on Friday afternoons and rode my mountain bike for the hunt or to join my uncle and my aunt”, he says with a touch. of nostalgia.

But the best memories are those he made there with his own children in recent years. It is these images that are stronger than anything.

“We created so many beautiful family moments with my wife and my two boys aged 3 and 5,” he says, still upset.

A whole puzzle

However, Jean-Claude Paquet has every intention of rebuilding a chalet in order to continue the tradition with his spouse, Cindy, and his sons, Léo and Charles. However, this will not happen anytime soon since fires are still active in this sector.

“I have to contact the insurance and I also contacted the MRC to find out what would happen to the debris. It is not in their priority for the moment since fires are still active, ”he explains, speaking of the long process which will begin shortly.

Even if he knows that he will have a lot of help to rebuild a new corner of paradise, he underlines that it will not be easy. He also plans to go and see the extent of the damage over the weekend.

“My spouse and I are a little apprehensive about it, but it’s going to be mourning because in reality, it’s a part of us that has gone up in smoke,” sadly concludes Jean-Claude Paquet.