Raging forest fires continue to wreak havoc across Quebec

The forest fires burning in central and northern Quebec have forced some 2,000 people from four native comminutes out of their homes. (May 28, 2010)

About 60 forest fires continue to burn in central and northern Quebec, and more than a dozen are considered out of control.

Hot, dry conditions have made the effort to contain the fires more difficult, although firefighters said conditions had improved slightly on Friday, due to lighter winds and somewhat milder temperatures.

About 2,000 people have been forced out of four native communities, including the Wemotaci reserve.

Some 1,300 people living there left their homes this week, and since Tuesday many have been sheltered in a school in La Tuque.

About 200 are sleeping in an arena, while others are staying in hotels, or with friends and family.

Few comforts

Tommy Awascish has been staying with friends, but spending his days at the school.

"It's going to be a lot of work to do, lots of clean up," said Awascish. "I don't know what's going to happen next. I heard I'm going to be here up to ten days."

Locals are trying to make the stay as comfortable as possible for the evacuees.

Friday morning a group of auxiliary nurses dropped off clothes, diapers and toys for people who did not have time to pack before leaving their homes.

Alexandra Awachiche says she feared for the safety of her four daughters.

"One of my friends has a truck, we got all my grandchildren in that truck at the back, and we left like that," Awachiche said. "We began to cry when the truck took us away."

Finding a place for everyone to stay will also become difficult.

The city of La Tuque says it needs the school where people are staying for another event on Monday.

Wemotaci threatened before

This is the second time in the past 13 years that the Wemotaci community has been threatened by forest fires.

Water bombers, along with 80 firefighters in the village, have been able to limit the damage, but even when it is safe for residents to return, the Aboriginal Affairs minister says significant repairs will be needed.

"The grid is destroyed by the fire, so we have to establish first with generators, to support the water supply in the community," said Pierre Corbeil.

Throughout the province, lower temperatures on Friday are making it easier for the firefighters.

14 water bombers and 50 helicopters have been deployed to fight the wildfires, along with 800 people on the ground.

Manawan reserve evacuated

An evacuation order was issued Thursday for the residents of the Manawan reserve, in the Lanaudiere, where two forest fires are burning.

Grand Chief Eva Ottawa says the fire is heading toward the reserve.

"The smoke and the fire is very close to the community. It's maybe 20 km from the reserve," said Ottawa.

A group of 475 people made a three-hour trip to Joliette on buses, and they are staying in the town's arena.

Residents had time to pack, but some are still finding it difficult to cope.

"I didn't see the fire but I feel like I lost everything because there's fire on the territory," said Niquay Ottawa, the chief's cousin. "I don' know how to explain but it's really hard."

The Red Cross and the CLSC are keeping everyone fed, and people have been provided with cots or inflatable mattresses.

Another group of 125 people from the same reserve are staying at another community centre, while 500 are staying in hotels, or with family members.

Out of province help

Quebec has asked for help from other provinces and states, and it is arriving.

Two dozen firefighters are coming from Maine, while the province of Manitoba is sending two water bombers.

Firefighters are also travelling to Quebec from Massachusetts and New Brunswick.

Meanwhile provincial authorities may issue a decree barring people from the fire zones.

That would frustrate cottage owners, or people who fish and camp in the region.

For now, the Surete du Quebec has blocked off two roads leading to the largest fires, and they scouring the area to ensure that no one is trapped by the flames.

"We are concentrating our effort to go in the zones where the smoke is most dense," said Eloise Cossette of the SQ. "We go there with the helicopter in those zones to verify, check if everything is okay."