A fire has been reported in the commune of Labalchere in the Ardèche department.
The RD4 between Lablachère and Planzolles is closed to traffic. A campsite has been evacuated as a precaution.
Firefighters from the Ardèche are on the scene, supported by eight Canadair aircraft and one Dash-8 from the Civil Protection service. One unit from the Drôme, one unit from the Vaucluse and a Forest Fire Intervention Group from the Gard have been mobilised; in total, no fewer than 12 GIFFs – comprising 260 firefighters – are battling the flames.
10.50 am: The fire has been brought under control; it has spread across 90 hectares. More than 200 firefighters are at the scene.
21:02: The fire has spread across 80 hectares of vegetation and is currently burning in the heart of a coniferous forest. Strong winds are blowing in the area.
8.45 pm: Fire not under control; reinforcements from outside the department are on their way
3.14 pm: the fire has already spread across 5 hectares of vegetation; 4 Canadair aircraft and 1 Dash aircraft from the Civil Protection Service are on the scene
2.30 pm: The fire is spreading to the treetops
14:18: Report of a fire breaking out