Everything seemed ready. Then the wildfires changed everything. The summer of 2023 will remain marked by an intense wildfire season, during which we were directly confronted with this reality through a recreational and tourism project on Cree territory.
A Vision Reduced to Ashes
About three years ago, Ecosolaris was directly confronted with the devastating consequences of wildfires.
We were part of a project set to come to life at a tourism site called "Creetopia," located in Waskaganish, a Cree territory on the shores of Hudson Bay. This region, renowned for its beauty and rich cultural and natural heritage, was hit hard by the 2023 wildfires, profoundly disrupting the project's development.
The course of events
The trip to Waskaganish was spread over two days. Departing from Saint-Jérôme,there were no warnings indicating any danger: no restrictions, no alerts, and no signs of fire along the route.
It was only on the second day that a light haze of smoke was spotted in the distance. At first glance, nothing appeared alarming, and no official information had been communicated to our team regarding any active forest fires. It is important to note that there is only one overland route to Waskaganish, the James Bay Road, now known as the Billy-Diamond Highway; otherwise, access is only by plane.
We arrived late in the evening. As the project site was located at kilometer 49 along the 100 km route to the municipality of Waskaganish, we stopped at the Creetopia site to offload materials and equipment, including two trailers, one of the three pickup trucks, and a Bobcat. They then continued on to the village of Waskaganish (km 100), where they stayed overnight as planned.
When our team woke up, the situation had completely changed.
During the night, the forest fire had intensified and rapidly grown in scale. The flames had crossed the river, reached the access road to the village, and arrived at the Creetopia site, which was completely destroyed. The ten dwellings, the shaputuan, and the mobile kitchen were burned, along with most of the materials and equipment.
The project was abruptly interrupted before the site could even welcome its first visitors with the new energy supply system. All that remained was a ground marked by ashes, symbolizing the end of a collective vision: for a sustainable tourism space rooted in Cree culture and respect for the land.
In response to the situation, our team was confined to the village of Waskaganish, as access roads had been closed by the SOPFEU and local police, making evacuation impossible due to unsafe conditions. During this time, firefighting operations by the SOPFEU continued in the region.
Eventually, a brief improvement in conditions allowed us for a departure. After approval from local authorities, we were authorized to leave the area, with an escort for the first 60 kilometres to ensure safety. Once this section was completed, we continued alone, without incident, traveling south along the Billy-Diamond Highway.
However, two days later, the fire regained intensity, forcing the complete evacuation of the village of Waskaganish. Women and children were evacuated first by plane, followed later by the rest of the population.
The Initial Vision: Energy Innovation in Service of the Project
This site, located near a river known for fishing, was developed by the Cree Nation with a clear vision: to create a sustainable tourism space allowing visitors to reconnect with the land, while respecting its environment and culture.On site, several facilities had been established, including ten dwellings, a shaputuan, and a mobile kitchen to support site activities.
At the core of this remote installation, Ecosolaris deployed a microgrid housed in a fully autonomous, custom-built container tailored to the site’s specific needs, serving as its central energy hub. Engineered for performance and resilience, it captured solar energy through 16 solar panels, converted it via two high-performance inverters, and stored it in a system of 24 batteries designed to power all installations.
From this energy core, power was distributed through a network of cables buried underground to the dwellings, the shaputuan, and the kitchen, ensuring a smooth and continuous power supply across the entire site. A propane generator provided backup during periods of low solar availability. In parallel, Starlink connectivity enabled real-time remote monitoring as well as intelligent energy management. This project represented an innovative approach, ideally suited to remote northern environments.
An Increasingly Frequent Reality
In Canada, nearly 50% of wildfires are caused by human activities, while the other half are of natural origin. But beyond these numbers, one factor changes everything: climate change.
Dry periods are longer, heat waves are more intense, and forests are becoming more vulnerable. As a result, fires ignite more easily, spread faster, and become much more difficult to control.
Why We Raise Awareness: A Shared Responsibility
A large portion of wildfires could be avoided through responsible behaviour. That is why municipalities and local authorities issue clear guidelines every summer regarding the use of open fires.
In Quebec, the SOPFEU (Société de protection des forêts contre le feu) is the organization responsible for wildfire prevention and management. It monitors conditions, assesses risks, and issues warnings or fire bans when danger levels are too high.
In many regions, outdoor fires are therefore prohibited, whether in the forest or in private yards, when conditions are dangerous. Even this summer, many people will not be allowed to light fires due to high risk levels. These measures are essential to protect forests, homes, and communities. It is therefore important to always check local guidelines before lighting a fire, as a single action can have major consequences.
A reality too often underestimated: wildfires do not only destroy trees. They erase human projects, community initiatives, cultural spaces, and sustainable development efforts. In just a few hours, they can wipe out years of work, passion, and commitment.
At Ecosolaris, we believe that a better future depends on individual action. That is why we feel it is essential to share what we have experienced.
Fires and Their Impact on Our Ecosystem
Wildfires have significant impacts on natural environments. They destroy vegetation, deplete soils by burning organic matter, and disrupt key natural processes, including the water cycle and nutrient cycles. These changes weaken ecosystems and can slow their ability to recover, sometimes for several years.
Animals are then directly affected by these changes. Some perish in the flames or due to smoke, while others are forced to flee their now uninhabitable habitat. This displacement often leads to a lack of food, increased exposure to danger, and greater competition for resources in surrounding areas.
Thus, wildfires do not only alter landscapes: they disrupt the entire web of life that depends on them.
Conclusion: An Essential Reminder for Summer
As summer approaches, wildfires must not be taken lightly. They are now part of our reality, but their impact can be reduced through prevention and vigilance. The experience our team went through on the Creetopia project is a reminder of how abruptly these events can transform meaningful initiatives. Wildfires are not only natural disasters; they are also a reminder of our responsibility toward nature and future generations.
This summer, before lighting a fire or planning an outdoor activity, it is essential to ask a simple question: is it safe, and is it allowed? Because protecting the forest also means protecting what we build together.
