The pre-alert was raised for the northern Quebec city near the Labrador forest fire

FERMONT, QUE. — Authorities in the northern Quebec town of Fermont have lifted a preliminary evacuation alert as the risk of a wildfire across the provincial border with Newfoundland and Labrador has receded.

Fermont officials say the risks have eased considerably over the past 24 hours, with weather conditions, fire intensity, rainfall, humidity and wind direction all favoring the town of about 2,500 people, about 940 kilometers northeast of Montreal.

Fermont officials are asking residents to remain vigilant as the situation could change quickly.

Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency, known as SOPFEU, still believes the fire is out of control as it is being fought by specialist teams from both provinces.

On Friday evening, thousands of people were forced to leave Labrador City, just 30 kilometers from the Quebec community.

Operations at the ArcelorMittal mine will resume with staff on site and while Minerai de Fer Québec, a mining company based in the Lake Bloom area, about 15 kilometers from Fermont, is currently checking to see when it can resume operations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press