Canada Evacuates 225 Inmates from Quebec Maximum-Security Prison Due to Forest Fires

A maximum-security prison in Quebec, Canada, was evacuated on Friday due to the intensifying forest fires in the area, with 225 inmates relocated to other secure federal correctional facilities. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) issued a statement on Sunday, confirming the evacuation of the Port-Cartier Institution, citing the need to maintain the safety and security of staff, the public, and the offenders in their care and custody .

The evacuation order was issued on Friday, with the CSC working closely with its partners to ensure a smooth and secure relocation of the inmates. The exact details of the relocation process were not disclosed, but the CSC assured that all necessary measures were taken to maintain the safety and security of everyone involved.

The forest fires, sparked by lightning, have been raging north of Port-Cartier, with two of the seven fires reported to be out of control, according to Quebec's wildfire agency SOPFEU . While the wildfire season in Canada has been less destructive so far compared to the record-breaking 2023 season, which saw over 15 million hectares burned, the federal government is forecasting another hotter-than-average summer ahead.

Why it Matters : The evacuation of the Port-Cartier Institution highlights the growing concern about the impact of climate change on public safety and infrastructure. As temperatures continue to rise, the risk of wildfires and other natural disasters increases, putting communities and critical facilities like prisons at risk. The swift response of the CSC and its partners demonstrates the importance of having emergency preparedness plans in place to mitigate the effects of these disasters.

The CSC is closely monitoring the situation and working on a plan to reopen the maximum-security institution as soon as possible. The agency is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its staff, the public, and the offenders in its care and custody.

Key Takeaways :

• 225 inmates were evacuated from the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec due to intensifying forest fires in the area.
• The Correctional Service of Canada worked closely with its partners to ensure a smooth and secure relocation of the inmates.
• The forest fires were sparked by lightning, with two of the seven fires reported to be out of control.
• The federal government is forecasting another hotter-than-average summer ahead, increasing the risk of wildfires and other natural disasters.
• The evacuation highlights the importance of emergency preparedness plans in the face of climate change and natural disasters.