In Grellingen, a fire broke out on Friday shortly after 5.00 pm on the dry forest floor, which was covered in leaves and shrubs. Thanks to a swift response, the fire brigade were able to contain it to a small area and extinguish it.
According to preliminary findings from the investigation, the police believe the fire was caused by human action, either through negligence or intentionally, they said in a statement on Saturday. No one was injured.
Forest fire near Leysin
On Friday afternoon, the fire brigade also had to respond to a call in a forest alongside the road linking Le Sépey to Leysin (VD), on rugged terrain. Nearly one hectare was burnt before the fire was brought under control, thanks to the deployment of a helicopter, the Vaud police reported in the early evening.
It is in Ticino that the drought affecting Switzerland has had the greatest impact in terms of wildfires. Following the blaze that raged for more than two weeks in January on Monte Gambarogno, the Centovalli region has been affected since last Tuesday. On Friday evening, the fire was 90 per cent under control, according to the Locarno fire brigade. The two army Super Puma helicopters called in as reinforcements on Monte di Comino were to remain there over the weekend as a precaution.