MONTREAL — Wildfires burning in Quebec forced the evacuation of inmates from a maximum security prison, federal corrections officials confirmed Sunday, as favorable winds bolstered efforts to battle a pair of out-of-control blazes north of the city of Port-Cartier.
Correctional Service Canada said the evacuation order was issued Friday and inmates have since been moved to other secure federal correctional facilities.
“To carry out the evacuation, we put measures in place, together with our partners, to maintain the safety and security of our staff, the public, and the offenders in our care and custody,” the agency said in a news release Sunday.
The Port-Cartier Institution has been associated with a number of notorious criminals, including serial killer Robert Pickton, who died in late May after being assaulted at the prison by another inmate.
Officials with the city in the Côte-Nord region announced Friday that it had declared a state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of some 1,000 residents from three specific areas due to the fires.
The province’s forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, said Sunday that several fires remained out of control near Port-Cartier and Sept-Îles in eastern Quebec north of the St. Lawrence River, although favorable weather was helping to halt their progression toward the communities.
Port-Cartier’s mayor said that despite the improved conditions, it was still too soon to say when citizens from the three evacuated sectors of town would be allowed to return home.
“The wind is with us,” Alain Thibault said.
Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement for the area, warning of the health risks posed by wildfire smoke. By Sunday afternoon, the federal agency said the smoke was no longer causing poor air quality.
In 2023, Canada experienced a record number of wildfires that caused choking smoke in parts of the U.S. and forced more than 235,000 Canadians to evacuate their communities.
A wildfire in Quebec has forced the evacuation of the Port-Cartier maximum security prison, posing a significant threat to both inmates and staff members. The fire, which started in a nearby forest, quickly spread towards the prison, prompting authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The evacuation process was not an easy task, as moving hundreds of inmates from a high-security facility requires careful planning and coordination. Inmates were transported to other correctional facilities in the area, while staff members worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone was accounted for and safely evacuated.
The wildfire also posed a threat to the surrounding community, prompting local residents to evacuate their homes as well. Firefighters worked around the clock to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further, but the unpredictable nature of wildfires made their job extremely challenging.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that wildfires can pose, especially in areas where high-security facilities are located. It also highlights the importance of having emergency plans in place to ensure the safety of inmates, staff members, and the surrounding community in the event of a natural disaster.
As the wildfire continues to burn, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to prevent any further damage or harm. The evacuation of the Port-Cartier maximum security prison serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for emergencies and acting swiftly to protect lives and property.
