Evacuations and anxiety as wildfires rage near Cree communities in Quebec – CBC

Jun 07, 2023

Oujé-Bougoumou evacuates, Waswanipi getting out vulnerable people, Mistissini says situation is stable

From thick smoke to a complete evacuation, several Cree communities in northern Quebec are dealing with impacts of the wildfires raging in the region.

On Tuesday night, the small inland community of Oujé-Bougoumou, located about 750 kilometres north of Montreal, was completely evacuated. The community has about 800 residents.

“The fire has breached the barrier and the fire is coming quicker than expected,” said Chief Curtis Bosum, in a video on social media Tuesday evening.

Reached Wenesday morning, Lance Cooper, the community’s deputy chief, said the fire was 17 kilometres away from Oujé-Bougoumou and moving quickly.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-wildfires-evacuation-health-quebec-1.6868473