Most forest fires in eastern Quebec contained while situation stabilizes across province

Forest fires are stabilizing across Quebec with most of the fires burning in the east now under control, according to the province's forest fire agency. 

"For the weekend, we can say it's going well," said a spokesperson for SOPFEU, Stéphane Caron. 

He said some fires continue to burn out of control in the central and eastern parts of the province, notably around Mistissini, Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Normétal, but those fires haven't worsened due to favourable weather conditions. 

Quebec's Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel said the fires in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, in northwestern Quebec, pose the greatest concern, during a news conference Saturday.

There, a fire is currently burning 500 metres from the municipality of Normétal though it has not progressed over the last two days, according to the supervisor of natural resources and energy development for New Brunswick, Bruno Pelletier. 

"It hasn't really crossed the lines we built, that the SOPFEU built, everything is well on that front," said Pelletier. 

Firefighters from New Brunswick have been concentrating their efforts in the east near Normétal while the team of French firefighters that touched down in Canada Thursday are being deployed today throughout central Quebec.

Bonnardel said there are 861 people on the ground fighting fires at the moment aided by 20 tank planes.

"The situation is improving day by day," he said.

As of Saturday morning, there are 133 fires burning in Quebec affecting over 900,000 hectares. 

Bonnardel said he suspects the fight against forest fires will last the span of summer. 

"The battle isn't won," he said. 

According to SOPFEU, the fires are expected to intensify Monday after a long period of dryness. 

"We have to get through Monday. After that we'll start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," said Caron.

He said SOPFEU hopes the rain forecasted Tuesday will be significant enough to help contain the fires.