A fire broke out at around 4.05 pm in the town of Montséret, in theAude, following a road traffic accident. According to initial estimates, the fire spread across approximately 100 hectares, 50 of which were burnt in the direction of the neighbouring commune of Saint-André-de-Roquelongue.
The operations carried out by the emergency services succeeded in containing the fire within its original perimeter. At the height of the operation, 302 firefighters – including 208 from the department – and 72 vehicles were mobilised to tackle the blaze. Their efforts protected around twenty homes, with no property damage reported.
More than 80 airdrops and night-time surveillance
Aerial resources played a key role in bringing the fire under control, with more than 80 water drops carried out to contain the flames. Tonight, 120 firefighters remain deployed on site to carry out patrols and douse the remaining hotspots, thereby ensuring that any residual fires are completely extinguished.
The lockdown, initially imposed on the municipalities of Montséret and Saint-André-de-Roquelongue, has been lifted. However, departmental roads 61 and 423, between these two villages, remain closed to traffic to facilitate access for the emergency services. To keep up to date with changes to road restrictions, motorists can visit the website Inforoute11.
The authorities would like to remind the public of the importance of following the instructions of the fire brigade and police officers at the scene, and of avoiding the area so as not to hinder the operations currently underway.