Forest fires force evacuations in northern Quebec
CTV
A forest fire is out of control in Chapais, in the Nord-du-Québec region, with evacuations underway. Meanwhile, the situation is improving in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, where two forest fires are now under control and a third is contained.
A forest fire is out of control in Chapais, in the Nord-du-Québec region, with evacuations underway.
According to Quebec's forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, the fire started at a resort in the Lac Cavan area. On Wednesday, the agency estimated that at least 1,400 hectares of forest were burned.
Around 8:30 p.m. that night, Chapais officials asked citizens living in the southern part of the municipality to shelter at the Chibougamau arena.
Meanwhile, the situation is improving in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, where two forest fires are now under control and a third is contained.
Roughly 30 people could return to their homes on Wednesday, just hours after being evacuated from Rivière-Éternité, a municipality of 413 inhabitants.
Four air tankers were deployed and firefighters will continue their work on Thursday.
Earlier Wednesday, these same air tankers were at work in Ferland-et-Boilleau and Saint-André-du-Lac-Saint-Jean. These forest fires are now also under control.
