Highlights: In Quebec, the fires leave no respite for firefighters who must fight on several fronts in the north of this province. More than 11,000 people have had to leave their homes as fires threaten the communities where they live. In one of them, Normetal, located seven hours drive from Montreal, the fire even approached 500 meters from the houses. People came to offer a room, a caravan, even houses, to those who had to left their homes very quickly. The weather remains very dry in this area, and the coniferous trees burn like straw fetuses.

In Quebec, the fires leave no respite for firefighters who must fight on several fronts in the north of this province. More than 11,000 people had to leave their homes because the fires...

Report

Fires rage in Quebec, thousands evacuated

In Quebec, the fires leave no respite for firefighters who must fight on several fronts in the north of this province. More than 11,000 people have had to leave their homes as fires threaten the communities where they live. In one of them, Normetal, located seven hours drive from Montreal, the fire even approached 500 meters from the houses. Meeting with evacuees who have found refuge 300 kilometers from their homes.

Toronto's smoky skyline seen from the CN Tower as wildfires in Ontario and Quebec continue to burn, in Toronto, Canada, June 6, 2023. REUTERS - CARLOS OSORIO

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

With our special envoy in Northern Quebec, Pascale Guéricolas

The inhabitants of Chibougameau, a city of 7,000 inhabitants, found refuge in Lac Saint-Jean, more precisely in Roberval, which welcomed them very well. All day Wednesday, June 7, people came to offer a room, a caravan, even houses, to those who had to leave their homes very quickly. So much so that the cots installed in a sports center are almost useless since most of the world is hosted by individuals.

We have put in place our emergency plan, here in Roberval, with our crisis unit, explains Serge Bergeron, the mayor of the city. And there, we had to find the beds, we had to find all the sanitary products, we had to find the snacks to make people eat. People were very collaborative, because the IGA supermarket, for example, sent someone after hours to provide us with juices, bread... People came here because they heard the news in the media, people from Roberval came to offer their help: "I want to give a few hours", "How can I help?", "Can I welcome someone in my home, I have a free room", and all that. And we relocated families to people's homes in Roberval residences, which made it possible to free up several beds, but also, and as a first objective, to put these people in much more comfortable conditions than sleeping on a cot like the one we have, with a simple blanket and a small pillow.

The news of the progress of this fire is rather encouraging, as it is progressing less quickly than expected. On site, firefighters erected a firebreak several kilometers long, a kind of trench, to prevent the flames from reaching homes and a wood construction plant where there are oil tanks.

>> Read also: The eastern United States smoked by fires in Quebec

Tense situation north of Montreal

If things have recently improved in eastern Quebec, because the rain has been falling for a few days, the fires are much more threatening in the Abitibi region, north of Montreal. The weather remains very dry in this area, and the coniferous trees burn like straw fetuses.

Quebec Premier François Legault acknowledges that the manpower is not sufficient to fight the 160 fires that are currently raging. Firefighters' efforts are focused on larger communities. Especially since it is necessary to give a little rest to the pilots of the air tankers that spray the blaze and the aircraft.

Fortunately, American firefighters are arriving on the ground. A hundred French firefighters are also expected today. A much appreciated helping hand in this fight that leaves no respite to those who see hundreds of thousands of hectares go up in smoke.

It was difficult with the children, but we arrived well, that's the main thing. We were received by a family, it's in Masteuiash, I think it will go well...

Reporting with evacuees

Pascale Guéricolas

Hundreds of American firefighters have just arrived in Canada and more are on their way. Today, I spoke to the @POTUS about this critical support and thanked them for the help the Americans are giving us as we continue to fight these devastating fires.

Fires rage in Quebec, thousands evacuated

Fires rage in Quebec, thousands evacuated

Tense situation north of Montreal

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest