Quebec wildfires are spreading, getting more intense
Eight forest fires went back out of control over the weekend in northern Quebec, as intensity and spread indices increased.
However, Quebec's forest fire prevention agency (SOPFEU) reported late on Monday that the rain of the previous 24 hours in the Jamésie region may have meant that some fires further north in the northern zone could be considered to have been contained by the rain.
However, SOPFEU predicted that the lack of precipitation on Monday and Tuesday could significantly stimulate fire activity.
The situation, therefore, remained worrying for the agency.
North of the 51st parallel, SOPFEU was only fighting fires threatening communities or strategic infrastructure, such as Hydro-Québec facilities or access roads, on Monday.
However, no communities or municipalities were directly threatened by fire.
In the Radisson region, a major fire management team from the United States took charge of the fires burning north of the Eastmain river.
One hundred and sixty operational resources were on site on Monday, including 12 forest firefighters, 120 French forest firefighters and seven helicopters.
Crews were also deployed on the Billy Diamond Road, the access road linking Matagami and Radisson, which is still threatened by fire.
The same applies to Relais 381, a strategic point on the Billy Diamond Road for refuelling.
Access roads to the communities of Waskaganish and Eastmain were also in danger of being attacked by flames.
On Tuesday morning, 70 forest fires were active in the northern zone and 17 in the rest of Quebec.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 25, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7023581.1725401586!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'He didn’t deserve to die like that': 15-year-old boy fatally gunned down steps from Toronto police station
Mario Giddings was supposed to start Grade 11 at Weston Collegiate Institute on Tuesday morning.
Canada issues new travel advice amid spread of bug-transmitted disease
Canada is advising travellers to be aware of reported viral Oropouche outbreaks in the Americas, where overall cases are higher than expected and some countries have recorded their first-ever infections.
Northern Ont. suspect, 95, charged with driving scooter while impaired
A 95-year-old suspect from West Nipissing has been charged with impaired driving after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a traffic hazard Aug. 30.
Canada rejecting more foreign travellers at border as feds face criticism over immigration
Canada has seen a sharp increase in the number of foreign travellers it's turning away at ports of entry, according to data from the Canada Border Services Agency, while the federal government continues to face criticism for allowing immigration numbers to balloon, putting pressure on the housing supply.
John Tavares is taking the CRA to court. A ruling against him could change how NHL teams sign players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares is taking the CRA to court over a dispute as to how a signing bonus from 2018 should be taxed. The ruling could have a chilling effect on how Canadian NHL franchises negotiate with unrestricted free agents.
'Like being in prison': Via Rail passenger says people stranded without food, water
A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.
Video shows man used as 'human shield' during daytime shootout in Hamilton
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying two men who were captured on video firing shots at each other across a street in Hamilton over the weekend.
11-year-old confesses to killing former mayor of a Louisiana town and his daughter
An 11-year-old boy has admitted to police he fatally shot the former interim mayor of a small Louisiana town and his adult daughter, authorities said.
Man, 50 others go on trial in France for rape of drugged wife
A 71-year-old man is on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her in their home over nearly a decade in a case that has shocked the country.