>> Follow developments in the Martigues fire (13)
>> Follow the latest developments on the fire in Fréjus (83)
On Thursday evening, south-eastern France was the scene of two major fires. The first, to the south of Martigues, broke out shortly before 7.30 pm and has already consumed 129 hectares of forest. Due to the hot, dry winds, the flames have spread rapidly towards the hamlets of Saint-Julien and Les Ventrons, where residents have been told to stay indoors. The areas of La Couronne and Carro remain under high alert.
More than 400 firefighters have been deployed to this front, supported by an impressive aerial operation comprising Canadairs, water-bombing helicopters and Dash aircraft. The battle is set to be a long one, particularly as night-time conditions are hampering operations.
Fire on the A8: a lorry caused the blaze
A little earlier, at around 6.30 pm, another fire broke out on the A8 motorway, near Fréjus, caused by a lorry tyre bursting. The fire quickly spread to the vegetation at the side of the road, before splitting into two separate blazes which then merged, having so far spread across 30 hectares. Fortunately, no homes are under threat.
On the ground, 400 firefighters and nearly 100 vehicles have been deployed. The Var department had already been on drought alert since Wednesday, with access to seven forest areas – including the Estérel and the Maures – advised against.
Caution is advised throughout the region
These two fires serve as a reminder of how vulnerable the region is to fire at the height of summer. The drought and adverse weather conditions are contributing to an increased risk. It is essential to follow the authorities’ instructions in the event of a fire, in particular by consulting the fire risk map or the forest weather.
Residents are also urged to use common sense: avoid any risky behaviour, report any outbreak of fire immediately and keep up to date with the latest information from the local authorities and our real-time fire map.