Forest fires: encouraging news in Sept-Îles

The two major forest fires raging north of Sept-Îles did not progress to urban areas on Saturday, but are still considered out of control.

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• Read also: Evacuations in Sept-Îles due to forest fires

Evacuation notices remain in effect for more than 6,000 residents, but no further evacuations are scheduled for Saturday.

“The news we received regarding the evolution of the fire this morning is reassuring,” said the mayor of Sept-Îles, Steeve Beaupré. We ask the population, the residents of this pre-alert sector north of Comeau Street, to remain vigilant and to remain ready for all eventualities.”

Watering the fire using air tankers and helicopters continues while infrastructure will be put in place to accommodate the many forest workers who will go to the field.

About 200 soldiers are expected in the region to lend a hand to the authorities, half of whom should arrive on Sunday.

“We act in prevention at all levels, assures the minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Kateri Champagne Jourdain. These are not easy times, it is trying for many people, but we have a good collaboration on both sides and we have things in hand.

Even if the smoke caused by the fires is not for the moment inconvenient for the residents of the city, the ministry for the Environment made move a mobile unit to measure the quality of the air.

Two Quebec government ambulance jets are also mobilized for emergency medical evacuations.

Personnel from Quebec, Lévis and Saguenay arrived on site to lend a hand to the firefighters of the municipality.

“The forecasts tell us that the fire can approach the city, so we need help if we have buildings to protect and fires to fight, shares the director of the Sept-Îles fire department, Joël Safe. We needed it.”

Police officers from the Sûreté du Québec are also on site to monitor the property left by residents who had to be evacuated.

Watch the full explanation in the video above.