The fire is still burning. And it is causing damage. Having destroyed more than 1,000 hectares of vegetation, the fire that broke out on Saturday 18 June at a military training camp in Canjuers (Var) has left several people injured, according to reports from TF1 News.
A firefighter from the Var was slightly injured by shrapnel from a shell that smashed through the windscreen of his fire engine, the fire service said. "18 firefighters from the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence" are also "are shocked and suffer from hearing problems to varying degrees", they added in a statement.
The explosion also caused minor damage to a firefighter from the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a member of the armed forces who was clearing a path, and five firefighters from the Var. "After a period of rest and a medical examination, the firefighters remain on duty", the fire brigade explains.
The incident occurred at around 10.30 pm on Monday evening, whilst firefighters were still battling the fierce blaze that has been ravaging the camp for four days. By Tuesday morning, the flames had spread across 1,000 hectares of scrubland, burning the vegetation in their path, though without spreading beyond the military zone, which is situated several kilometres from the nearest homes. After dropping fire retardants on the edge of the blaze from the air on Monday evening, the firefighters worked through the night to extinguish the fire’s hotspots.
🔴 Reinforcement #FDF Var 🔴
— Fire Brigade 04 (@Pompiers04) 21 June 2022
Since Saturday, the 04 Fire Brigade has been on duty at the military camp in #Canjuers to support the @SDIS83.
The department has deployed one GIFF, one CCGC, and is providing security for the Canadair water-skimming area on Lake Sainte-Croix. pic.twitter.com/z0t4XGeBU2