By Canadian Press

Residents of Quebec town emptied two weeks ago because of fire to return home Sunday

Jun 16, 2023 | 8:59 AM

MONTREAL — Residents of a northern Quebec town that has been under an evacuation order for the past two weeks due to forest fires are expected be allowed to return home on Sunday.

Lebel-sur-Quévillon Mayor Guy Lafrenière announced the news, adding that some essential workers will begin to go back today to ensure services are in place when residents return.

Lafrenière says a more detailed plan for the return home will be announced Saturday.

Forests Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina told reporters in Val-d’Or this morning that the flammability risk for the area had risen overnight.

However, officials say both the town and a nearby pulp mill — which had posed a concern because of chemicals stored there — are well protected by fire breaks and by the arrival of additional firefighters from the United States.

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The town of about 2,000 people has been under an evacuation order since June 2.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2023.

The Canadian Press