The fire around Walker Lake is currently the most active in Quebec. This area has received little rain since Wednesday. 68 forest firefighters work on the west, south and east flanks today. A total of 280 people from Sopfeu are working in the MRC Sept-Rivières.
Good conditions are forecast in the coming days with 15 to 20 mm of rain expected on Sunday. Smoke is still visible in Port-Cartier, but air quality in populated areas will not be affected.
The fire danger index has dropped with the rains on the eastern part of the Côte-Nord. The ban on open fires has been lifted. Even though all the fires were started by lightning this year, Sopfeu spokesperson Isabelle Gariépy believes that we must avoid adding to them.
The situation in the forest can change quickly, according to the Protection Society. Several weeks of effort and the collaboration of Mother Nature will be necessary to control and extinguish the fires that are still active.
Field staff
A major fire management team is still on duty in Sept-Îles to coordinate the fight against the raging fires. The complex can count on the contribution of some 280 people. Two other sections of forest firefighters and auxiliary fighters, as well as about ten specialized resources, will join the complex over the weekend.
Fire 212 east of the Sainte-Marguerite River has remained calmer in recent days. He required a thermography operation this morning to locate the remaining hot spots. 23 forest firefighters and fighters will spend the day identifying these hot spots and putting them out.
Some 37 Sopfeu employees are working on the Lake Morin fire, approximately 12 km from Port-Cartier. They are continuing to install water lines. They will be supported by helicopter watering if necessary.
Finally, 34 forest firefighters and fighters are deployed on the fire 32 km from Maliotenam-Moisie. They are working on the South-Eastern edge in the portion that crossed the Moisie River. They are also installing motor pumps in the South sector.
End of pre-alert
Considering the relative stability of the forest fire situation, encouraging forecasts for the coming days and the significant mobilization of SOPFEU teams and equipment, the Municipal Civil Security Organization (OMSC) of the City of Sept-Îles made the decision this Friday to lift the evacuation pre-alert for the Gallix and Lac-Labrie sectors.
In Port-Cartier, the state of alert is maintained. Citizens are asked to remain vigilant. The Citizen Line will not be operational this weekend, unless the situation deteriorates.
