A bushfire broke out this evening at around 7.30 pm in the mountains near the town of Trévillach, in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The fire is also affecting the outskirts of the towns of Montalba-le-Château, Tarérach and Rodès. The flames have already spread across 220 hectares, according to initial estimates by the emergency services.
Massive mobilisation of emergency services
The SDIS 66 (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) is deployed in force at the scene. No fewer than 300 firefighters are battling the flames, supported by aerial resources: 4 Pélicans, 2 Dash aircraft and 1 Milan. Water drops from Canadair aircraft have also been carried out in an attempt to contain the spread of the fire.
A departmental operations centre (COD) was activated at the prefecture at 9.15 pm, and the local emergency response plans for the affected municipalities are in force. Gendarmerie patrols have been deployed to secure the operation zones and protect the public.
Precautionary measures and advice for residents
No evacuation order has been issued as yet, but the Prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, has asked the mayors of Rodès and Montalba-le-Château to gather residents from isolated homes at the town hall, according to a statement from the Prefecture. Other residents are asked to remain contactable should the need arise. Emergency accommodation has already been arranged in Ille-sur-Têt.
The Prefect has issued a call for vigilance, urging the public to:
- Follow the instructions of the fire brigade and police on site;
- Avoid the area so as not to hinder the emergency services;
- Not to tie up the emergency lines with non-essential calls;
- Dial 112 in an emergency;
- Obtain information only from official sources and do not spread false information.
An exceptionally high fire risk in the department
The situation is particularly worrying due to a very high, even exceptional, risk of fire in the east of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The authorities are urging the utmost caution and remind the public that current weather conditions are conducive to the spread of forest fires.