Fires in Canada: fires resume in northern Quebec due to hot and dry weather

2023-06-23T16:23:44.214Z

Highlights: The hot and dry weather of recent days in Northern Quebec is giving new vigour to the fires ravaging this region over hundreds of thousands of hectares. An Aboriginal reserve, located far north, has begun evacuating its 3,000 inhabitants. The exceptional lack of rain in this region and the heat make the forest extremely flammable and complicate the work of the teams on the ground. Fireworks are prohibited north of the St. Lawrence for Saint-Jean, Quebec's national holiday. The inhabitants of Mistissini are expected in a town five hours' drive from their home.

The hot and dry weather of recent days in Northern Quebec is giving new vigour to the fires ravaging this region over hundreds of thousands of hectares. An Aboriginal reserve, located...

Fires in Canada: fires resume in northern Quebec due to hot and dry weather

The hot and dry weather of recent days in Northern Quebec is giving new vigour to the fires ravaging this region over hundreds of thousands of hectares. An Aboriginal reserve, located far north, has begun evacuating its 3,000 inhabitants.

Aerial view of forest fires between Chibougamau and the Indigenous community of Mistissini in northern Quebec on June 5 (Illustration image). © KEVIN BURTON / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

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With our correspondent in Quebec City, Pascale Guéricolas

The inhabitants of the Cree Nation of Mistissini, located far north of Quebec, have been living near a gigantic forest fire for several weeks, but the smoke could become too thick very soon. This is why the authorities finally asked the 3,000 inhabitants to leave the locality in the coming hours. One of the officials details the procedure to follow on social networks: "We have time to evacuate. We take the time to do it so as not to be in a hurry. Please evacuate carefully," he said.

The inhabitants of Mistissini are expected in a town five hours' drive from their home. This is not the only community affected. The 2,000 residents of Lebel-sur-Quévillon had to pack their bags for a second time yesterday, after evacuating their town for two weeks.

Lack of water

The 360,000-hectare fire is once again threatening this forest city, as are four other villages in Abitibi, northwest of Montreal. Their inhabitants are ready to go. The exceptional lack of rain in this region and the heat make the forest extremely flammable and complicate the work of the teams on the ground. Fireworks are prohibited north of the St. Lawrence for Saint-Jean, Quebec's national holiday.

See alsoFires in Canada: the gigantic logistical challenge in the face of flames

Fires in Canada: fires resume in northern Quebec due to hot and dry weather

Fires in Canada: fires resume in northern Quebec due to hot and dry weather

Lack of water

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