Roads closed, homes burnt, residents told to stay indoors: latest on major fire in south of France
A cigarette butt thrown from a vehicle window is thought to have started the blaze that has destroyed 2,000 hectares
The blaze continued to rage overnight. Photo for illustrative purposes only
Kirsanov Valeriy Vladimirovich / Shutterstock
A major forest fire in the south of France that began yesterday afternoon is still active this morning (July 8). Officials are warning people in the area to remain on high alert.
The blaze that began near Narbonne (Aude) on July 7 has so far destroyed more than 2,000 hectares of land and injured one child, although Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed the injuries were not life-threatening.
Four other civilians have been injured, and five of the emergency service workers tackling the fire have also been lightly wounded.
At least three horses have died because of the fire, according to the local prefecture.
Currently, more than 1,000 firefighters are fighting the blaze – with the help of over 200 trucks – and around 2,400 residents in Narbonne remain without electricity as the fire has damaged infrastructure along its path.
Residents in several areas in and around Narbonne have been asked to stay indoors until the blaze is under control. Those living in properties along the path of the fire have been evacuated.
You can check the official X account of the Prefecture of Aude for a full list of areas where residents have been advised to stay indoors.
Anyone in the area who requires further information can call the emergency hotline set up by the local prefecture at 09 70 80 90 40.
Locals are being asked not to clog emergency service numbers, so lines can remain open for those in serious danger.
Several roads have been closed, including the A9 in both directions between Narbonne and Sigean, the A61 between Lézignan and Narbonne (only in the direction towards Perpignan), and the local RD6009 and RD613.
Heavy traffic is expected on some roads, including the RD611 and RD111.
Cause of blaze remains uncertain
The location of the fire is close to where a similar blaze began last week, caused by sparks from a barbecue on the back of a vehicle, lighting up dried vegetation along the A61 motorway. It is the third major forest fire in the department in a week.
The cause of the current fire remains uncertain, however Aude prefect Christian Puget said authorities “have an initial lead involving a cigarette butt thrown from a vehicle,” along one of the nearby roads.
State forecaster Météo France provides a forest fire risk map in the summer months, with Aude currently at the second-highest warning level.
Three departments in the south-east are currently facing the highest possible red alert warning.
Successive heatwaves and a severe ongoing drought in the area have contributed to conditions ripe for forest fires.
Around 90% of blazes are caused by human activity, such as dropping a cigarette butt, failing to put out a barbecue, or working with heavy machinery.
People in the area are being asked to respect safety advice, which includes:
Staying away from the blaze and the surrounding ‘intervention zone’ where emergency services are
Not disrupting the work of the emergency services
Remaining aware of road restrictions and using the correct alternative routes
Not stopping to take photos of the fire, particularly if driving and parking your vehicle on the hard shoulder
Keeping up to date with local media on the development of the fire
