The forest fire situation is stable in Quebec, said Thursday Premier François Legault, whose cabinet underlined the commitment of the United States to come to the aid of Quebec in particular.
Mr. Legault said that the number of displaced people, 13,500, should also remain stable, particularly in the most affected areas of Chibougamau, Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Normetal.
“We think this number will remain the same for the next two days,” the prime minister said at a press conference.
No return will be possible before next Tuesday, however warned Mr. Legault, before adding that funds will be released to cover the expenses of the displaced persons.
“I should be able, by tomorrow, to make a special council of ministers to be able to announce tomorrow the per diems that can be given to people who are evacuated, he said. I want to reassure everyone, we will compensate the equivalent of what it cost you. »
Mr. Legault’s cabinet pointed out that the United States promised Thursday to send firefighters to Canada, particularly to Quebec to fight the more than 150 fires raging there.
In a statement, US President Joe Biden highlighted Quebec’s needs.
“I spoke to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday and offered additional assistance to Canada to quickly accelerate efforts to counter these fires, particularly those in Quebec, whose fires have the most direct impact on American communities. , Mr. Biden said.
Quebec representations
The number of American staff has not yet been specified, said Mr. Legault’s office.
“This statement from the White House follows the representations that we made through various diplomatic channels and via the federal government,” said press secretary Ewan Sauves. We are going to continue our discussions so that the proposed aid reaches us. »
New York City was particularly affected by smoke from wildfires north of its border.
A total of 650 firefighters are currently on the ground, including 100 Canadian soldiers. About 100 French firefighters, who arrive on Thursday, will also join the firefighting efforts. About 50 people from New Brunswick are expected to join them in the next few hours. Quebec’s objective is to have a workforce of 1,200 firefighters.
After the appeal launched by Mayor Valérie Plante, who underlined the availability of her firefighters to contribute in the north, Mr. Legault affirmed that the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) has reached its capacity to integrate personnel who do not have specific training in the fight against forest fires.
Planes and natives
Regarding the availability of Government Air Service pilots for air tankers, Mr. Legault said that arrangements will take into account the limits on their flight time, set at 100 hours per 30-day period under their collective agreement. . Pilot rest times will be synchronized with aircraft maintenance periods.
On Wednesday, François Legault said that Quebec could run out of tanker pilots within a week to fight forest fires.
He explained Thursday that the coverage capacity of the devices will remain at 40 fires.
“In turn, one or two aircraft will be on the ground for maintenance, at the same time the pilots are resting,” he said.
The Cree community of Waswanipi chose Thursday to voluntarily evacuate half of the 1,600 residents it has because of the heavy smoke, said Mr. Legault. The evacuees are relocated to Quebec, in particular to the Huron-Wendat community of Wendake.
Regarding Mistissini, Mr. Legault explained that a misunderstanding arose on Wednesday. The SOPFEU representatives on the ground considered that the situation did not require an evacuation, but their colleagues in Quebec ordered the departure, a decision which was refused by the leader of the Cree community.
“There was a misunderstanding within SOPFEU,” said Mr. Legault.
Climatic changes
The Prime Minister has acknowledged that additional funding will be required for adaptation to climate change. While the opposition is calling for a fund to be specifically dedicated to it, François Legault did not show a preference.
“What is important is to have the measurements,” he said. Whether they are in the Plan for a green economy, to reduce GHGs or whether they are in a second plan, the important thing is to put the resources in place. »
According to the Prime Minister, the issue of wildfires has taken on a new dimension with the ongoing fires, which are unprecedented.
“We talked a lot about shoreline erosion but nobody talked about the forests and then poof, we’re all surprised, it’s the same thing in British Columbia, in Alberta. We will have to add in adaptation to climate change for forests. »
Mr. Legault said he intends to increase the staff of the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU), which currently has 518 firefighters.
“As for the medium term to have more people, whether regular or seasonal, it is certain that we will have to look to increase the number,” he said.