MONTREAL РAt least 14 forest fires are burning out of control Thursday in central and western Quebec, says the Soci̩t̩ de protection des for̻ts contre le feu (Sopfeu).
A total of 44 fires had been reported across the province as of 7 a.m. Thursday, the Quebec forest-fire prevention agency reported. The strong winds and lightening storms that swept through Wednesday only exacerbated the problem, the agency said.
The First Nations community of Wemotaci was evacuated Wednesday afternoon as several fires blazed about 400 kilometres north of Montreal.
More than 1,200 people were removed from the native community, leaving only police, firefighters and other emergency personnel on site, according to police.
School buses full of residents were taken to La Tuque, the largest community nearby, police said. About 300 residents bunked down at a La Tuque high school, while others went to stay with family, friends or at a hotel.
Another reserve in the area, the First Nations community of Obedjiwan, has also been evacuated as a precaution, according to a media report.
For information on forest-fire warnings and open-fire prohibitions across Quebec check the agency web site at www.sopfeu.qc.ca
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