A severe forest fire, started by a lightning strike on 24 June in the Justin massif in Die, continues to spread in the south of the Drôme, marking the worst fire in the department in 30 years. By late Tuesday afternoon, the flames had spread across nearly 2,000 hectares, up from 1,400 that same morning, according to a press briefing by Prefect Marie-Aimée Gaspari.
Two holiday camps evacuated
As the fire spread, the authorities carried out precautionary evacuations. Two holiday camps, housing 450 children, were relocated to a sports hall in Crest. “This is a precautionary evacuation,” emphasised the prefect, adding that the children “are not currently in any danger”. These measures are also intended to reassure parents, as the holiday camps are located in a “cul-de-sac” that is difficult to access.
The day before, 250 residents of the villages of Montmaur-en-Diois and Barsac had already been evacuated, as the fire had come within 300 metres of Montmaur. Firefighters, supported by air and ground reinforcements, are battling several active blazes in a mountainous and rugged area, making the operation particularly challenging.
An unprecedented mobilisation of the emergency services
Firefighters in the Drôme, supported by national resources, are deploying combined attack strategies to contain the flames. Canadair aircraft and water-bombing helicopters are in continuous operation to slow the spread of the fire, whilst ground crews are securing the evacuated areas and protecting homes under threat. Their coordinated efforts are ensuring that there are no casualties and that material damage is kept to a minimum.
However, the weather conditions – with high temperatures and changeable winds – are making the rescue efforts more difficult. The prefecture is urging people to remain vigilant and reminding them of the importance of following evacuation instructions. To track the progress of the fires in real time, visit the map of current fires.