Forest fires have impacts on telecommunications networks in Nord-du-Québec.
The Internet network and residential telephony are interrupted in several sectors of Nord-du-Québec.
The fire in the Lebel-sur-Quévillon sector was closely watched by the authorities.
Mélanie Morin of the Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (SOPFEU) confirmed that the flames which were dangerously approaching Route 113 finally crossed it.
Forest fires are also near Chibougamau and the Cree community of Oujé-Bougoumou. The population received an evacuation notice on Tuesday evening. The fires also damaged telecommunications infrastructure.
Services are slowed down or interrupted for Bell and Télébec customers in the communities of Miquelon, Waswanipi, Chapais, Chibougamau, Mistissini, Oujé -Bougoumou.
Our teams are ready to intervene as soon as it is safe to do so, writes Caroline Audet, media relations manager at Bell.
The impacts of forest fires on fiber optics had been mentioned on Tuesday by the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel.
Some roads are closed for safety reasons due to forest fires in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and in Nord-du-Québec.
Roads are closed to traffic in Nord-du-Québec and Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Barriers, cones and signs inform motorists that it is forbidden to go near fires and the operations of the Society for the Protection of Forests against Fire (SOPFEU).
On the show It's worth the return, Sarah Bensadoun, spokesperson for the Quebec Ministry of Transport, indicated that route 117 in the La Vérendrye wildlife reserve is under surveillance.
On has tank trucks that are positioned in one of our service centers in Maniwaki. They are mobilized and can be deployed to be able to secure the road in the wildlife reserve area in the Outaouais or in the Abitibi section, she says.
Roads are closed in both directions for an indefinite period.
- Route 113, between Waswanipi and Senneterre
- Route 1005, between Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quévillon and the Route du Nord
- Route Billy-Diamond in Matagami
- Route du Nord in the Chibougamau sector
- Route des 6e-et-7e Rangs in Saint-Lambert in Abitibi-Ouest
- Traffic alternates on Route 101 near Chemin de l'Esker in the Rouyn-Noranda sector
Sarah Bensadoun recommends consulting Québec 511 to check the condition of the road network before traveling.
You should also drive with great caution because 'because of forest fires, it can cause impromptu movements of large wildlife and it could also cause damage to road users, she recalls.
Forest fires also have an impact on outfitters in the province. The fishing season has just started, but bans on driving in the forest are in effect.
The flammability index is still extreme in Nord-du-Québec and in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. It is not yet allowed to make fires in or near the forest.
As the forest roads are all blocked, there are no customers who can enter our facilities. It's catastrophic, he laments.
