A forest fire has ravaged nearly 3 hectares in the east of the Sarthe, near Vibraye. The incident resulted in no injuries or significant damage to property.
A major fire broke out on Saturday in the east of the Sarthe, near the village of Lavaré. The local fire brigade was quickly on the scene after the fire was reported in the early afternoon. They then began operations to bring the fire under control and extinguish it.
The authorities have advised residents and visitors to avoid the area to allow emergency services access. The Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (Sdis) was alerted and took charge of the emergency response operations.
Rapid response from the fire service
Four forest fire-fighting vehicles and 17 firefighters were deployed to bring the blaze under control, which was first reported at around 3 pm. Co-operation between the emergency services centres in Vibraye, Montfort, Saint-Michel and Tuffé was exemplary.
The fire destroyed around 2.5 hectares of woodland in the Montangis area of Lavaré. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the damage to property was minimal, being limited to vegetation.
Extreme weather conditions: A risk of forest fires
This Saturday also saw a record high temperature for the region, peaking at 26.6 °C – the highest recorded for April since 1946. Consequently, the weather conditions may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. This exceptional heat may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
According to experts from the SDIS, the residual moisture in the forest floor helped to contain the fire and prevent a more serious disaster. The authorities remain on high alert, as the risk of fire is heightened by the current weather conditions.