Thousands of forest fire evacuees in Quebec are heading south. These towns are welcoming them with open arms

Hundreds of cots carefully set up in the arena in Roberval, Que., now sit empty. Grey wool blankets lie folded in boxes.

Officials had planned to offer refuge here to many of the 7,000 evacuees fleeing a raging forest fire near Chibougamau, 250 kilometres north. 

Instead, the generosity of locals in the Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean region kicked in. After the evacuees arrived early Wednesday morning, local families began arriving at the arena, offering to house them. 

"When we made the emergency plan and we received the population of Chibougamou, I didn't know it was possible," Roberval Mayor Serge Bergeron said at a news conference Thursday. "I knew the population of Roberval was generous, but I didn't know it was [this generous]."

Practically every one of the 7,400 evacuees who left Chibaugamou has found a real bed in Roberval. 

They are staying with friends or family, in a campground in Saint-Félicien that's offering free or reduced fare camping, or with locals — their presence temporarily swelling Roberval, normally population 10,000, and other nearby towns. 

Victoria McGuffin, a Chibougamau resident who left in a hurry Tuesday night as wildfire smoke filled the air, arrived at the arena after a seven-hour drive spent in traffic as evacuees clogged the only road out of town. 

"I arrived mentally ready to be bedding down in the arena of Roberval for x number of days," she said, "and a lady came by and asked if I'd like to go to their place and I was like 'yeah that sounds better than what I was expecting to be dealing with.'"

McGuffin is staying in Saint-Prime, a neighbouringy town of 3,000. Her host is the town's mayor, Marie-Noëlle Bhérer.

"I wanted to make a difference," Bhérer said. "It was a natural to come see if my neighbours needed help. I brought my arms and all my love to share."

It's a line echoed by many of the Roberval volunteers who are helping to house, feed and care for the Chibougamau residents who need it. 

"It's just how I am," said Marlène Boivin, a Roberval resident who is housing four seniors from Chibougamau in her home, as she dished out a plate of spaghetti at the arena. 

The city is providing some supplies and local restaurants are pitching in too, sending food and beverages. 

"It's fun to see people happy and less worried about the financial side of things," Boivin said. "It would be expensive otherwise, finding lodging and food. Now it's all provided. Everything is for the best in the best of worlds."