The weather was more favorable in terms of wind direction and speed north of Port-Cartier yesterday and today. The three out-of-control forest fires in the Sept-Rivières territory have not progressed towards homes. Sopfeu has set up a management camp at the Sept-Îles airport to accommodate 172 firefighters and fighters, who will begin work on the ground tomorrow.
The spokesperson for the Protection Society provided an update during the press conference at Sept-Îles City Hall this Sunday, June 23. Since yesterday, the two fires closest to Port-Cartier have been subject to aerial watering. Sopfeu currently has 12 helicopters and nine air tankers on the North Shore.
Evacuation maintained
The Morin Lake fire is 12 km from Port-Cartier. Watering is carried out on the southern tip. The ground staff are being organized for tomorrow.
The mayor of Port-Cartier Alain Thibault explained at the opening of the press briefing that the return to the evacuated area will not take place before Sopfeu reassures security. A change in wind direction remains possible.
The spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec spoke to assure citizens that the 300 residences in the evacuated zone are monitored by the police. The latter collaborated in door-to-door evacuation work on Friday evening and ensured adequate follow-up, guarantees SQ Sergeant Hugues Beaulieu.
Air quality
Currently, air quality is generally poor in the MRC of Sept-Rivières. This should continue for at least 24 hours, according to Public Health forecasts. The CISSS Côte-Nord Management recommends reducing their exposure to forest fire smoke.
Around forty vulnerable people from Port-Cartier were transferred by the health network to Baie-Comeau and Haute-Côte-Nord. The plume of smoke can have impacts on health, particularly among people at risk, including children, people aged 65 or over and people with respiratory illnesses.
Environment Canada maintains a special bulletin on poor air quality and reduced visibility for Port-Cartier and Sept-Îles. Fine particles in wildfire smoke are the main health risk.
