As out-of-control and unpredictable fires rage near Sept-Iles, authorities appeal for calm to avoid monster congestion on Route 138, but still tell citizens to be ready to leave their homes quickly if the situation escalates in the next few hours.
• Read also: Around 5,000 people evacuated in Sept-Îles due to forest fires
• Read also: Forest fires: Quebec calls for reinforcements
• Read also: Fires in Chapais: a refuge in Chibougamau collects the animals of the evacuees
Mayor Steeve Beaupré and Minister Kateri Champagne-Jourdain have repeated on several occasions that the priority remains the protection of human life. Already 5,000 people have been evacuated due to the huge and dangerous blaze.
“All elected officials are mobilized for the safety of citizens. We want to make sure that no human life is threatened. We must follow the instructions,” implored the MNA for Duplessis and minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region. The City of Sept-Iles has also declared a state of emergency in order to better manage the crisis.
SOPFEU also mentioned that fighting forest fires is never easy.
“Beyond Capabilities”
“The fire is going to different places. There are times when it is beyond capacity. We are using all the resources and all the strategies but we are in very strong conditions. It’s not an exact science and forecasts may vary,” said spokeswoman Isabelle Gariépy.
“The nights of sleep were very short,” added Denis Clements, emergency measures coordinator.
In Sept-Iles, residents of the Plages, Moisie and Lac Daigle sectors have already been evacuated. The next sector to receive an evacuation order could be that of Sainte-Famille.
Fire #215 north of Lac Daigle is still stable while fire #172 continued to progress, but less rapidly than the anticipated scenario. It now reaches 33,800 hectares.
“We are preparing for all eventualities. We don’t want people to put themselves in danger,” said Mayor Beaupré, adding that other measures could be added.
” Be ready ”
In the field, “firebreak” type work is continuing in collaboration with SOPFEU. Air tankers are also used. Sept-Iles particularly wants to protect its drinking water plant.
Finally, the authorities are appealing for calm and solidarity in order to avoid panic.
In Quebec City, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel asked the federal government for help from the Canadian armed forces. The cities of Quebec and Lévis will even send teams of firefighters.
“There is no question of complete evacuation of the population,” said the mayor of Sept-Iles.
“We ask people to prepare. We want people to be ready, ”added Denis Clements.
- Listen to the interview with Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region and Member of Parliament for Duplessis on Yasmine Abdelfadel’s show via QUB-radio:
A little better in Chapais
To facilitate the evacuation of the population, the work zones on the 138 and 172 have been lifted.
At the last hour, the Sept-Îles Hospital suspended non-emergency activities in its establishment.
Elsewhere, in Nord-du-Québec, the mayor of Chapais was optimistic since the fire did not progress there.
“As long as you’re safe, that’s fine. You have to be patient and we will eventually see the end,” concluded Isabelle Lessard.
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