Backup arrives to help Quebec crews as forest fire risk stabilizes

More than 100firefighters from France are on their way to Roberval, Que., Friday morning to support firefighting efforts inthe Quebec.

They represent the latest wave of reinforcements in addition to a group of 50 firefighters from New Brunswick.

The French team in Quebec will be led by ric Floresand is expected to stay in Canada for up to three weeks. Two of the French firefighters, including general controller Bruno Ulliac, will head to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in Winnipeg to help with co-ordination.

"We're here to help you, we will always be here, we'll stay here to help, along our friends at SOPFEU, fight these fires," said Ulliac.

Firefighters from the United States and other European countries are also expected to arrive inQuebec soon.

Earlier this week, Premier Franois Legaultsaid he hopes to bring the total number of bodies fighting forest fires in Quebec to 1,200.

As of Friday afternoon, there are 141fires burning across Quebec, affecting over 800,000 hectares. The fires that had been threatening communities so far have been contained, saidForestry MinisterMat Blanchette Vzina on Thursday.

"The SOPFEU workers, the firefighters [have] been working for more than a week now so the help of the French firefighters is really welcome right now," she said.

In the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi a curfew was in effect Thursday night.

Chief Irene Neeposhtold CBC that she hopes the government and SOPFEU improve communication with affected communities. She acknowledges SOPFEU is under a lot of pressure.

"One of the big challenges has been getting timely information," Neeposh told Quebec AM host Julia Caron.

Neeposh, says though the fire is not close to the communitythe smoke posesan immediate problem for residents, the most vulnerable of which have relocated temporarily to Quebec City.