The state of emergency due to wildfires in June 2023 has led citizens to realize that nature is powerful and that we need to be more prepared.
Shortly after the evacuation notice was lifted, on June 6, 2023, Route 138 towards the Beaches sector was very busy. Numerous vehicles could be seen carrying closed trailers and campers behind them. In private parking lots, people were busy carrying their luggage into houses.
“It feels good to come home!” », exclaimed a resident of rue de la Rive. “But I learned a lesson. I’m going to prepare a box with important things and memories. I’m going to leave it in a corner of the closet, in case an emergency arises again. »
A couple of evacuees who had taken refuge at their son’s house with their motorhome had also made a resolution.
“When it’s nature, we don’t have control,” said Alex Proulx. “From now on, we will keep the motorhome ready to go. It doesn’t take long for us to get in there, then we’re gone. »
Bring the essentials
Nearly a year later, the Journal spoke again with one of the evacuated citizens. The resident of the Beaches sector, mother of two children, says she is ready if the situation were to recur. She knows how to properly “close” her house, “put it to sleep”. She thinks she would probably bring fewer things than last year.
“In my head, it’s clear what’s on board if we ever have to leave quickly,” she says.
But the intensity and urgency of the situation will have a role to play in the choice of goods to take.
“Big” pets
During the events, the City of Sept-Îles had to find a solution for pets. The SPCA pitched in (see other text). But for larger companions, it’s something else.
Sabrina Gravel, owner of Ranch des Daltons, offers a boarding service for around 25 horses, in the Moisie sector. Last year, she evacuated a day before the official order. Everything went well, since the horse owners have their own trailer, which facilitated the transport of the animals to Gallix, where they were welcomed. If the situation were to recur, she intends to proceed in the same way. Two stables are ready to receive animals, if necessary. Sabrina Gravel does not want to relive this exceptional situation, but she is ready for any eventuality.
The silver stirrup stable, located on rue Holliday, had for its part carried out a preventive evacuation, due to the smoke. Manager Steve Pelletier mentions that mutual assistance was very present. He says he is ready, too, if it were to happen again this summer.
“We are ready, trailers are ready, we have machinery, we are able to load our hay,” he says. “It’s not something that stresses us out.”
