Quebec, Canada Wildfires

[NJFFSA16]

MONTREAL (CP) - Rain fell across northern Quebec Monday helping
firefighters as they battled more than 100 forest fires.
Crews managed to douse four of 121 fires that were raging across
the province, including nine that were out of control.
"Resources were deployed to try to take advantage of this
respite that the rain gives us in order to proceed with the work
and extinguish several fires," said Chantal Drapeau, spokeswoman
for Quebec's fire protection agency.
The largest fires were located between Matagami and Chibougamau,
in Quebec's northern region.
Residents of Lebel-sur-Quevillon, about 750 kilometres northwest
of Montreal, continued to be on alert since a fire raged to within
14 kilometres of the town. An evacuation hasn't been required
because of the lack of problem caused by smoke.
More than 900 firefighters are on the ground battling the fires,
including 360 from British Columbia, 100 from Maine and 96 from
Alberta.
In addition, 14 waterplanes from Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland
and Manitoba are attacking from above. Twenty-four helicopters are
being used to transport fire teams and spray water on the fires.
Nearly 760 fires have burned 400,000 hectares of forest this
year. Over the past five years, an average of 381 fires have
destroyed 50,000 hectares of forest.


(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[RDL210]

Hi,

Here are a few pictures of the Chibougamau fire...

Stay safe,

Sly

[RDL210]

More...

[NJFFSA16]

Massive brush fire near Ottawa, Quebec border expected to last
until weekend
AYLMER, Que. (CP) - Local firefighters and a Quebec forest fire
crew are expected to take one or two more days to extinguish all of
the hot spots of a brush fire near the Ottawa, Quebec border.
The fire has already destroyed the equivalent of 20 football
fields of forest area.
Fire officials said the massive blaze was caused by an
improperly tended campfire, but that no charges will be laid
because there was not a ban on open fires in the area.
"It was an accident caused by a campfire that spread to the
forest so we can say it was caused by the residents," said Eric
Santerre, a spokesman for the forest fire crew.
"The fire that started near a house or cottage was probably a
campfire, not a bonfire to burn garbage," he said.
Two water bombers spent three hours scooping water from the
Ottawa River Tuesday to quell the Aylmer, Que. fire, which snarled
traffic and created a thick blanket of smoke over the region.
No buildings have been damaged in the blaze. (Ottawa Citizen)


(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)