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📍 OVERALL
SITUATION
➡️ No intense flare-ups were observed during the day, unlike in previous days.
🔥 The area affected by the fire has not changed and remains estimated at 400 hectares.
🚒 FIELD OPERATIONS AND MONITORING
Emergency responders are maintaining a focus on several areas:
📍 Charupia Pass
📍 Vesselet Pass
📍 Banestier Pass
📍 Serre Chabeydan
The large-scale ground operations that began several days ago are continuing. Long-reach water hoses, supplemented by a heavy-lift helicopter, are helping to stabilize the fire’s edges and effectively treat hot spots, as well as a few flare-ups in the most difficult-to-access areas.
⛰️ SECTORS STILL INACCESSIBLE
Near Charens, certain areas remain difficult, if not impossible, to reach on foot due to rocky outcrops.
🔥 Hotspots are also still visible on the northern slope of Serre la Chaud. They are currently inaccessible to ground crews due to the steep terrain and the risk of falling rocks.
🚒 RESOURCES MOBILIZED
👨🚒 495 people are involved, including about 100 military personnel.
🚁 AERIAL RESOURCES
Since 11 a.m. this morning, the Puma Alpha, a heavy water-bombing helicopter, has been providing support to ground crews.
💧 45 water drops have already been made so far today.
📊 KEY FIGURES
🔥 400 hectares affected; the situation remains unchanged.
✅ No major flare-ups have occurred during the day.
👨🚒 495 people mobilized.
🚁 45 water drops carried out by the Puma Alpha.
⚠️ Several hotspots and hard-to-reach areas remain under close surveillance.
🗣️ Next update: tomorrow morning.
Drôme
Prefecture
🔥 The burned area remains stable
Despite several flare-ups and numerous hot spots, the fire has made virtually no progress over the course of the day.
Following more detailed reconnaissance missions conducted on Monday, the area affected by the fire is still estimated at approximately 400 hectares.
🚒 Ground Operations
➡️ Near Bellegarde-en-Diois, on the left flank, the fire remains contained.
➡️ On the right flank, between the Col de Banestier and the Bois de la Pigne, operations have focused in particular on setting up three long firebreaks:
💧 500 meters
💧 850 meters
💧 400 meters
These firebreaks now allow firefighters to reach and treat the fire lines on the Haut-Charens side.
🚒 A significantly reinforced response
👨🚒 574 firefighters and military personnel were mobilized during the day’s operations.
✈️ Significant aerial resources
Aerial resources were also heavily relied upon to tackle flare-ups and the most difficult-to-access areas.
🚁 1 heavy Puma helicopter deployed.
✈️ 5 Canadair aircraft conducted water drops for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
📊 UPDATE AT 6:00 PM
🔥 Approximately 400 hectares affected, an area that has barely expanded.
👨🚒 574 firefighters and military personnel mobilized.
🚁 1 heavy Puma helicopter deployed.
✈️ 5 Canadair aircraft were deployed for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
✅ The left flank remains secured.
🚒 Operations are continuing to tackle the numerous hot spots, consolidate the fire lines, and prevent any further spread of the fire.
Source: Drôme Prefecture
🌙 A generally calm night
The night proceeded under favorable conditions. The teams actively monitored the entire sector and addressed several hotspots.
🔥 Still advancing slowly
The fire continues to move slowly downhill toward the villages of Charens and Haut-Charens.
📊 Area burned
The burned area is now estimated at approximately 400 hectares.
🚁 Reconnaissance Underway
Aerial and ground reconnaissance operations are continuing to pinpoint the exact locations of active fire zones and identify any potential flare-ups.
🚒 Reinforcements are arriving
The Gard Forest Fire Unit, called in yesterday, has arrived in the area to bolster firefighting efforts.
🏠 Enhanced protection of homes
An Urban Forest Fire Unit (IFFU) from the Gard is now deployed to strengthen protection of homes in Charens and Haut-Charens, with support from a Forest Fire Unit from the Ardèche.
💧 New specialized resources
The regional DIH unit and the Marseille Marine Firefighters Battalion are arriving this morning.
They will be deployed throughout the day to set up high-flow, long-range hoses designed to secure the most vulnerable areas.
🎯 Priority for the day
Starting at 7 a.m., emergency responders aim to:
- 🔒 contain the left flank and the rear of the fire;
- 🔥 quickly address any flare-ups that may occur as temperatures are expected to rise by late morning.
🌤️ Weather Conditions
💨 Winds are expected to remain light, between 5 and 10 km/h, providing favorable conditions for firefighting operations.
📊 Update at 8 a.m.
🔥 Approximately 400 hectares burned.
🚒 Response efforts have been reinforced with the arrival of new specialized equipment and reinforcements from the Gard, the Ardèche, and the Marseille Marine Firefighters Battalion.
➡️ Operations are continuing, with the priority being to secure the fire’s edges and prevent any further spread.
Source: Drôme Prefecture
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⚠️ The fire is spreading
Following significant spread in the front-right sector, along the ridgeline, and on the eastern and western slopes of the Banestier massif in the Claps National Forest, the area burned is now estimated at 370 hectares.
💨 A southerly wind is currently driving the fire northward, with the flames moving downhill toward the villages of Charens and Haut-Charens.
🏘️ There are 41 residents in the affected area. They are not in danger at this time.
⚠️ On the front right flank, further spread remains possible, with up to 600 hectares potentially at risk.
On the front and rear flanks, the fire continues to spread slowly downhill. Ground crews are setting up firebreaks, occasionally supported by the heavy water-bombing helicopter.
🏠 Protecting Homes
The three Dash aircraft have dropped fire retardant to protect homes.
➡️ At this time, no direct risk has been identified for people or homes in Charens, Haut-Charens, and Chiton in the coming hours.
🛡️ Preventive Lockdown
Due to heavy smoke, a stay-indoors order has been issued for the entire village of Charens, as well as for the hamlets of Haut-Charens and Chiton.
Since 5:30 p.m., two gendarmerie patrols have been deployed to:
- 👥 remind residents of the shelter-in-place instructions;
- 📋 take an inventory of those present;
- ❤️ identify vulnerable individuals who may require assistance or evacuation.
🚒 Resources Deployed
Ground resources
- 🧑🚒 408 firefighters mobilized.
Air resources
- 🚁 1 heavy water-bombing helicopter (Puma Alpha).
- ✈️ 3 Dash aircraft.
👮 The Gendarmerie remains in constant contact with the public.
➕ Reinforcements
A wildfire response unit from the Gard department is expected to arrive as early as tonight. Its mission will be to protect the hamlets of Charens and Haut-Charens.
⚕️ Casualty Report
🚑 Four firefighters sustained minor injuries during the day.
One of them was taken to the Die hospital after feeling unwell.
📊 Update at 8:30 p.m.
🔥 370 hectares burned.
🧑🚒 408 firefighters deployed.
✈️ 3 Dash aircraft and 1 heavy water-bombing helicopter deployed.
🏘️ 41 residents affected by containment measures, with no direct threat at this time.
➡️ Government agencies, firefighters, and the Gendarmerie remain fully mobilized to monitor the fire’s progress and ensure the safety of the public.
Source: Drôme Prefecture
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