2023-06-06 14:43:39
If the direction of the winds helped the forest firefighters in their fight, the fire was pushed Monday towards Normal and Saint-Lambert, in Abitibi-Ouest.
It was 2.5 kilometers from Normal at the end of the day. The flank seemed to hold for a good part of the day
mentioned SOPFEU spokesperson Mélanie Morin on the program golden mornings.
SOPFEU will assess the distance between the traffic lights and the municipalities this morning.
The inhabitants of Normétal left their homes on Saturday and a state of emergency was declared on Monday in Saint-Lambert. The 6e-et-7e Rangs road in Saint-Lambert, in Abitibi-Ouest, is closed for an indefinite period
« Seems to be calming down quite a bit. There is almost no more smoke in the village. »
Relieved to see the smoke dissipate, he underlines in an interview the work of the firefighters of Normétal and the brigades of the neighboring municipalities who sprinkle around the fire so that the forest firefighters of the SOPFEU can be able to fight closer to the flames.
He invites people to do not be discouraged
.
The director general of the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest, Normand Lagrange, believes that the magnitude of the situation is considerable.
We see the usefulness of a civil protection plan, to put it in place, to review it. When we need help from our world, from our coordination committee at the level of the security plan
he mentioned on the show It’s worth the return.
Normand Lagrange, Director General of the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jean-Marc Belzile
He adds that all municipalities in Abitibi-Ouest should consider being on pre-alert.
The Municipality of Saint-Dominique-du-Rosaire reminds the population of the ban on traveling in the forest. The danger of fire is always extreme.
The Collines Béarn are currently closed.
Photo: Courtesy: Saint-Dominique-du-Rosaire
SOPFEU firefighters are continuing their work to put out hot spots.
Closures of campsites
Smoke was visible near Normal on Monday evening.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jean-Marc Belzile
The municipality of Roquemaure chose to close its campsite, which housed Normétal evacuees. The decision was made due to non-compliance with the instructions.
The problem experienced in our campsites is that despite the ban on making fires, we have campers who unfortunately make fires. Despite the situation, there are people that it takes them a lot of explanations and support to understand that it’s not the time to make fires outside
laments Normand Lagrange, director general of the MRC d’Abitibi-Ouest.
The Malartic regional campground, near Val-d’Or, is also closing for an indefinite period.
A second worrying fire in Lebel-sur-Quévillon
Smoke from a first fire had invaded the sky of Lebel-sur-Quévillon. A second fire worries. (File photo)
Photo : Joelle Barrette
In Lebel-sur-Quévillon, in Nord-du-Québec, the Municipality will inform its citizens of the situation at 9 a.m.
Monday evening, the mayor, Guy Lafrenière, reminded citizens that the decision to leave the city was taken last Friday as a preventive measure. A first fire had stopped its progress towards the city, but a second in the Cameron Lake sector was progressing.
According to Mélanie Morin, SOPFEU expected this second fire to reach Route 113 during the night.
Victims of Lebel-sur-Quévillon are also worried regarding their financial security. They quickly left their home and are waiting to be able to return to work.
Air quality
Smoke from forest fires travels across Quebec and affects air quality.
Photo: Screenshot: firesmoke.ca
In Senneterre, Mayor Nathalie-Ann Pelchat ensures that no fire threatens the urban core. N95 masks are available for residents who feel bothered by airborne particles and smoke.
She adds that emergency measures are in place in the event of an evacuation.
Smog warnings are in effect in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec. Forest fires cause deterioration of air quality and carry health risks.
It is recommended that people with asthma or respiratory or heart disease stay indoors and close the windows.
School service centers and daycare centers have made the decision to keep children indoors and avoid outdoor activities.
The Commission for Standards, Equity, Health and Safety at Work (CNESST) recallsinspect the ventilation system and carry out cleaning or replacement of filters, if necessary
following a fire or following the disappearance of a plume of smoke.
Partial return to Lac-Simon
The Lac-Simon Band Council has decreed a partial lifting of the evacuation for certain groups in the community.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Melanie Picard
After two nights in an emergency shelter, part of the Lac-Simon community was able to return home on Monday. The evacuation notice had been given on Saturday morning.
People returning to Lac-Simon must follow instructions such as staying indoors and closing windows. A curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is also imposed.
We will remain on pre-alert for some time yet. I believe our people will be safe. Still, everyone must remain vigilant
underlines Lucien Wabanonik, Chief of Lac-Simon.
People considered vulnerable are not yet authorized to return to Lac-Simon.
Accelerated SOPFEU training
SOPFEU firefighters from other regions are sent to the places where the fires are the most worrying.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Pascal Poinlane
SOPFEU is training 300 people on an accelerated basis this week. Labor comes from forestry companies as well as silviculture workers. They will come to help the forest firefighters towards the end of the week.
In La Sarre, a free meal distribution program will be offered starting today. The City is collaborating with the Center de formation professionnelle Lac-Abitibi. Evacuees must be registered for twice-daily access.
In the evening, the Municipality of La Reine, located regarding twenty kilometers from Normétal, asked its voluntarily evacuating citizens to clearly indicate their name and the place where they were going on their door.
Two fires worry in the sector, but the state of emergency has not been declared. The Municipality is also looking for volunteers to help in the event of an evacuation.
Forest fires are a concern in Quebec. The Society for the Protection of Forests once morest Fire deploys its teams according to priorities. Prime Minister François Legault announced Monday that the fire threatening Clova, a village of 36 inhabitants in Mauricie, was not under control. “We will have to let Clova burn,” he announced.
Educational institutions
In Abitibi-Ouest, the Normetal pavilion is closed until further notice since the evacuation order is still in effect.
Saint-Lambert students who attend the Dupuy school can go there, but the bus service to return to the Polyno de La Sarre student residence will be offered in the followingnoon only.
The usual schedule resumes this Tuesday at the Cité Étudiante Polyno. The Lac-Abitibi School Service Center specifies that bus routes will be adapted for relocated students.
In Senneterre, classes are suspended on Tuesday at La Concorde high school and at the La Concorde Center. The Or-et-des-Bois School Service Center specifies that, in primary schools, classes are taking place as usual today.
Classes are once more suspended at Le Carrefour high school in Val-d’Or.
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