Lebel-sur-Quvillon residents should put off return home, mayor says - Action News
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Lebel-sur-Quvillon residents should put off return home, mayor says

Lebel-sur-Quvillon Mayor Guy Lafrenire is advising residents not to go back home yet because of dry weather, which will increase the flammability index over the next few days.

Dry weather expected to increase flammability index in coming days

Three people load their belongings in a bus.
Buses are available to Lebel-sur-Quvillon citizens who have been staying in Senneterre for two weeks because of the forest fires. (Rosalie Sinclair/Radio-Canada)

Evacuees from Lebel-sur-Quvillonhave started returning home despite the mayor's warning.

Two thousand residents who fled the town in the Jamsie territory in northwest Quebec were expected to go home Sunday afterthe wildfire situation in the province improved.

ButLebel-sur-Quvillon Mayor Guy Lafrenire is advising residents not to go back home yet because of dry weather, which will increase the flammability index over the next few days.

The mayor made the announcement Saturday evening on the municipality's Facebook page after meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Civil Security and Quebec's forest fire agency (SOPFEU).

"When you return to Lebel-sur-Quvillon, you must be ready to evacuate again," he told reporters Sunday. "People who have family or a place where it is still possible to stay for a few more days, we advise you to not come back immediately."

Two men face each other while a woman looks at a table.
Lebel-sur-Quvillon Mayor Guy Lafrenire, Natural Resources and Forests Minister Mat Blanchette Vzina, and Guy Lacasse of SOPFEU discuss the reintegration plan on June 16. (Radio-Canada Archives)

The fire near the town burned 378,000 hectares so far and merged with five other fires, Lafrenire said. Air quality in the area continues to be a concern.

Route113 between SenneterreandLebel-sur-Quvillonand Route 1005 between Lebel-sur-Quvillon and Matagami havefully reopened.

with files from Jay Turnbull and Radio-Canada