Almost as vast as the Montérégie, the largest fire in the history of Quebec — more than a million hectares — is ravaging the boreal forest east of James Bay.
While all eyes were on the thunderstorms and floods in the south of the province, the largest blaze in Quebec history was burning north of 49e parallel this week.
At 1,041,760 hectares — barely smaller than Lebanon — this fire is three times larger than the one that made headlines in 2013.
This is the largest fire ever recorded by SOPFEU, confirmed to The Press spokesperson Mélanie Morin. “In the statistics to which I have access, which go back to 1984, I do not find any fire of more than one million hectares in the northern zone”, she explains.
“Unparalleled magnitude”, “historic fire”, “the biggest fire ever seen”: there was no shortage of superlatives in 2013 to describe the 350,000 hectare blaze that was burning then a few kilometers from the Cree community of Eastmain.
Ten years later, the magnitude of this new fire — 218 — has gone almost unnoticed. It should be noted that it was in this fire that two auxiliary SOPFEU fighters were injured last Monday, a first in 30 years, as reported by The Press SATURDAY.
” I have never seen that ”
A sweltering drought in the north of the province and unusual heat have combined for a season prone to forest fires.
The region east of James Bay receives an average of 80 millimeters of rain in 30 days at this time of year, from June 15 to July 15.
This summer, barely 20 millimeters of rain, or even 10 millimeters in places, were recorded, underlines Félix Biron, meteorologist for Environment Canada. “It’s very dry and that helps explain the historical magnitude of these forest fires,” he said.
A drought noted on the ground by the tourist entrepreneur Sylvain Paquin, who has lived there for 25 years.
It’s been since the beginning of June that I warned the world that it’s dry, he says on the phone. The willowherb shoots are drying upright, the grass has been yellow since the beginning of June, the caribou moss is cracking, the Labrador tea leaves are dry, the larch trees around the camp are eating the slap, the hardwoods are losing their leaves… and it’s just the beginning of summer, he says. It’s abnormal!
Sylvain Paquin
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SYLVAIN PAQUIN
“The caribou moss is cracking,” observes Sylvain Paquin. This photo was taken on June 30, 2023.
An episode much worse than ten years ago, according to Mr. Paquin. “I have never seen so much drought. In 2013, yes it was hot, it was dry, but never like that. »
Radisson evacuated, Cree communities on high alert
Several other fires threaten the infrastructures and communities that live along James Bay. On Friday, the approximately 200 residents of Radisson received a mandatory evacuation notice to Montreal, by plane.
In Chisasibi, the most populous community in Nord-du-Québec after Chibougamau, the evacuation of people vulnerable due to smoke from the fires began on Friday. Other Cree communities have also moved forward. A shelter has been opened in Matagami to help citizens.
“Me, I don’t evacuate right away, but I’m ready, my boxes are done,” says Mr. Paquin. If all the front-line workers leave, I’m sure I’ll leave too. »
SOPFEU does not fight fires located in northern areas, unless they threaten strategic infrastructure. Winds are pushing the fires north-northeast on Saturday, Ms.me Morin. A direction that distances them, in general, from the communities.
SOPFEU’s priorities are to protect Radisson, in particular its airport, and the communities of Wemindji, Waskaganish and Eastmain, whose access roads are threatened by fires. SOPFEU is also trying to protect the relay 381, located on the Billy-Diamond road, and essential the supply of gasoline in this vast territory.
Rain and thunderstorms to come
Slim hope: rain is expected from Saturday evening and for the next few days. Rainfall amounts are uncertain, however, said Environment Canada’s Biron. And thunderstorms, therefore lightning, could also ignite new fires.
“Fires of this magnitude there, as meteorologists, we have not seen many, he recalls. It’s really intense. »
In the early afternoon, rain had already been seen in Radisson, according to Sylvain Paquin. In the area where it is located, 40 kilometers further south, only lightning has been recorded.
It is the weather that will guide SOPFEU’s strategies in the coming days, also explains Mr.me Morin.
“Right now, she explains, we have 75 people on the ground for land operations, but the possibilities of intervention are limited, because the fires are so aggressive that it is dangerous. »
With The Canadian Press