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MONTREAL – Air quality remains a concern in several regions of Quebec as some residents return to their homes this weekend following evacuations sparked by wildfires.
The province’s forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, says wildfire progress remains slow, with 121 fires still active across the province as firefighters battle 32 priority blazes.
The Public Security Ministry says weather conditions and firefighters have reined in several blazing threats in the regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the North Shore, Mauricie and Northern Quebec.
But Environment Canada has issued a smog advisory for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Gatineau and Mont-Laurier regions, and recommends children with asthma and people with respiratory or heart conditions avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors.
On Friday, the mayor of Lebel-sur-Quévillon said the 2,000 residents who evacuated the town in northwestern Quebec will be able to return to their homes Sunday, two weeks after leaving.
Essential workers are returning today to prepare for the homecoming, surrounded by trenches as the nearby wildfire remains a concern for authorities and the 260 American and Portuguese firefighters arriving Friday and Saturday to help battle the blaze.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2023.
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