A fire broke out on Wednesday 16 September at a solar farm in the Landes before spreading to the surrounding forest, having already destroyed more than 100 hectares. According to the fire service, the situation is considered “very serious” due to the proximity of high-voltage power lines, the A63 motorway and a railway line.
In total, 150 firefighters and six aircraft, including two Canadair, are deployed in the communes of Lüe and Labouheyre, in the north of the department. Colonel Romain Moutard, of the Landes Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), told theAFP that there were no towns or villages in the path of the fire’s current spread, although it was advancing rapidly.
Rail services suspended and homes protected
The SNCF has announced the suspension of train services on a section of the Bordeaux–Dax line due to the proximity of the flames. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation, whilst a house under threat was secured by the teams on site.
The mayor of Labouheyre, Didier Pressard, expressed his concern at how quickly the fire was spreading, in comments reported by South West. This latest fire comes after the Landes region had already been hit by two major fires this summer, in Biscarrosse at the end of July and in Luglon in mid-August.
The weather conditions, characterised by high temperatures, could complicate efforts to tackle the blaze.