Historic fires: New evacuations in James Bay area

The wildfires in the James Bay region remain tense. 27 active fires in the area, the La Grande-3 power plant had to be evacuated again.

• Read more: A wildfire disrupts the start of the school year at Boy-James

• Read more: Wildfires: More than 12 fires in extreme zone in Quebec

• Read more: SOPFEU is preparing to intensify its fights in James Bay

Access roads to the Northern Zone are of concern to SOPFEU. “For several weeks, the Cree communities in the James Bay sector have been living with numerous wildfires. The problems are mostly with the roads and access roads, which are often closed, covering the communities,” commented Stephane Caron, SOPFEU prevention and communication coordinator.

Fortunately, rain was welcomed on Friday after two weeks without rain. Very good news for communities as it has reduced the evolution of fire.

“It has finally come to give a respite. When the good weather returns, we will work with the communities to assess the safety of the roads to ensure that fires do not rise from the ashes of the roads,” adds Mr. Caron.

In the Wemindji sector of Baye-James, the area is dry due to lack of rain, which is responsible for the forest fires.

“In the last eleven weeks, there has been five times less rain than normal,” he says.

In the Northern Region, SOPFEU protects communities and infrastructure.

150 SOPFEU personnel and approximately twenty aircraft are currently deployed in the northern James Bay area to provide support.

“It’s exceptional and we’ve rarely had to bring in so many people in the past,” said Mr. Karen notes.