Quebec on high alert as hot, dry weather in forecast risks reigniting wildfires

Quebec's forest fire protection agency warns the warm and sunny weather in store for much of the province this week could make it harder to fight fires that have recently been contained and may lead to renewed evacuation orders.

As of Monday morning, there were still 88 active forest fires in the province.

Premier François Legault said at a news conference Monday that the forest fire situation in the province is still worrisome, even though the number of active fires has gone down.

"I know it's not fun to leave your house, but when you're told to evacuate, it's because there is a real risk," he said. 

About 1,500 firefighters and soldiers are currently on the ground putting out the wildfires, said Stéphane Caron, spokesperson for Quebec's forest fire protection agency, SOPFEU.

Hundreds of firefighters from Europe and the U.S. are already helping SOPFEU in Quebec, and Caron said 80 more American firefighters are expected to arrive in the province tonight to lend a hand. 

The Public Security Ministry says rain in parts of southern Quebec over the last few days have helped alleviate the fire risk, but other parts of the province are still very dry.

SOPFEU's Josée Poitras says there's no rain in the forecast for Abitibi, Chibougamau, Saguenay or the North Shore.

"With this dryness, the fires will grow — even those that were contained," she said.

In northwestern Quebec, fires near Lebel-sur-Quévillon have burned 375,000 hectares so far and remain under close watch. 

The mayor of that town, Guy Lafrenière, said the hot, sunny weather is the last thing his town needs right now.

Residents of Lebel-sur-Quévillon were allowed to return home Sunday after their community was evacuated two weeks ago, but the mayor is warning them they might have to leave again, should those fires reignite.

"When you get back to Lebel-sur-Quévillon, you must be ready to evacuate again," said Lafrenière. "For those who have family or somewhere to stay for another few days, we're asking you not to come back immediately." 

About 100 residents have returned so far, and for some of them, it's still a relief to be back, even if just for a few days.

Julie Paquin, who stayed away for 16 days, said when they got home, she and her family were taken aback by the lingering, strong smell of smoke from the ashes that have fallen around their property. 

"We feel the danger is still there, and the fire is active," she told Radio-Canada.

Quebec's associate deputy public security minister in charge of fire safety, Katia Petit, is also warning residents of other high risk municipalities to be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice this week.