Lebel-sur-Quvillon residents should put off return home, mayor says

Evacuees from Lebel-sur-Quvillonhave started returning home despite the mayor's warning.

Two thousand residents who fled the town in the Jamsie territory in northwest Quebec were expected to go home Sunday afterthe wildfire situation in the province improved.

ButLebel-sur-Quvillon Mayor Guy Lafrenire is advising residents not to go back home yet because of dry weather, which will increase the flammability index over the next few days.

The mayor made the announcement Saturday evening on the municipality's Facebook page after meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Civil Security and Quebec's forest fire agency (SOPFEU).

"When you return to Lebel-sur-Quvillon, you must be ready to evacuate again," he told reporters Sunday. "People who have family or a place where it is still possible to stay for a few more days, we advise you to not come back immediately."

The fire near the town burned 378,000 hectares so far and merged with five other fires, Lafrenire said. Air quality in the area continues to be a concern.

Route113 between SenneterreandLebel-sur-Quvillonand Route 1005 between Lebel-sur-Quvillon and Matagami havefully reopened.