After more than a week of a fierce battle against the flames, the Trévillach fire in the Pyrénées-Orientales has officially been brought under control. The prefecture announced on Saturday that the head of the rescue operations had declared the fire contained within its perimeter, preventing it from spreading any further.
An exceptional mobilisation of emergency services
The Prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Pierre Regnault de La Mothe, praised the remarkable work of the firefighters from SDIS 66 and the reinforcements who came to lend a hand. Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to the Aspres massif, as had been the case during the historic fire of 1976. “It was their relentless battle against the flames that protected human lives, homes and the environment,” he emphasised.
In total, 27 local authorities were evacuated at the height of the crisis, whilst nearly 5,000 hectares were consumed by the flames. Despite significant material damage, there were no casualties, a result attributed to the coordination of the teams on the ground.
Flawless logistics to support the firefighters
The Prefect also made a point of thanking the administrative and technical staff of the SDIS and the departmental council, who were mobilised to accommodate, feed and support the firefighters at Millas secondary school. “Their commitment, often behind the scenes, helped to provide the operational teams with the best possible conditions for rest and recovery, which are essential for the effectiveness of their operations,” he explained.
This crisis management was based on a collective effort, bringing together government departments, local authorities, security forces, organisations and volunteers. This solidarity made it possible to bring the fire, which started in Trévillach on 4 July, under control before it could spread further.