A major fire involving pine woodland and scrubland has just broken out between Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone and Fabrègues, near the Montpellier metropolitan area SPA dog shelter and the Lauze prison.
Significant resources are currently being deployed by SDIS 34, with air support due to arrive at the scene.
The police are at the scene.
Update 5.50 pm: 120 firefighters are now deployed in the commune of Fabrègue. The fire may be spreading towards the A9 motorway. Three Canadair aircraft, one Dash 8 and the department’s three Air Tractor aircraft are also in action.
Update 5.15 pm: The fire is not in the municipality of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone but in that of Fabrègue. The fire is affecting scrubland and pine forest. It has already spread across 1 to 2 hectares and is threatening several dozen more. Around sixty firefighters and three Air Tractor aircraft are currently on the scene.
Update 5.00 pm: Two Air Tractor water-bombing aircraft from the SDIS, as well as a Dash 8 from the Civil Protection Service, are on the scene.
Update 4.55 pm: The fire is spreading rapidly in the Gardiol massif. It can be seen from several kilometres away.
The fire was put out last night at around 10 pm.
100 hectares were burnt.
Firefighters from the (34) and (13) districts will be on duty all day.
Info: Underground