The town of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in the Nord-du-Québec region, is always on high alert. In interview at Quebec MorningGuy Lafrenière, the mayor of the city, said that out of 2000 residents, only 600 are still in their residences.
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“We are on the alert, because Route 113 South is the main route to get to Abitibi, the Laurentians or Montreal, he explains. It is stressful this fire, the wind should be in the southwest, because if we wait for the rain, it will take patience.
SOPFEU has informed that fire 344 is once again out of control in this sector, occupying a total perimeter of 351,972 hectares.
“There are residents who called us yesterday and we are going to organize transport for them, hoping that things will go well on 113 south, explains the mayor. If it does not pass on the 113 south, they will have to go to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean 600 km away.
The city of Lebel-sur-Quévillon is largely dependent on income from the timber industry.
“We have around 340,000 hectares burned, that’s a lot of wood, loose Mr. Lafrenière. It will be difficult for our forestry companies following this fire, in the long term, it is not good.