Eight forest fires got out of control again over the past weekend in northern Quebec, due to the increase in intensity and spread indices.
However, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) reported at the end of the day, Monday, that the rain of the previous 24 hours in the Jamésie region could have caused certain fires located further north in the northern zone to be considered as being contained by the rain.
However, SOPFEU predicted that the lack of precipitation on Monday and Tuesday could significantly stimulate fire activity. The situation therefore remained worrisome for the organization.
North of the 51st parallel, SOPFEU only fought fires threatening communities or strategic infrastructure, such as Hydro-Quebec facilities or access roads, on Monday. However, no community or municipality was directly threatened by the fire.
In the Radisson area, a major fire management team from the United States took charge of those burning north of the Eastmain River. One hundred and sixty operational resources were on site Monday, including 12 forest firefighters, 120 French forest firefighters and seven helicopters.
Teams were also deployed to the Billy-Diamond road, the road access linking Matagami and Radisson, which is still threatened by fire. The same is true for Relais 381, a strategic point on the Billy Diamond road to stock up on gasoline.
The access roads to the communities of Waskaganish and Eastmain were also in danger of being attacked by the flames.
Tuesday morning, 70 forest fires were active in the northern zone and 17 in the rest of Quebec.