This Wednesday, 1 July, firefighters in the Bouches-du-Rhône are battling particularly fierce forest fires on two fronts. The first fire broke out in a forest in Lançon-Provence and La-Fare-les-Oliviers, whilst a second outbreak is threatening homes and industrial sites in Rognac.
168 firefighters deployed to Rognac
In Rognac, 168 firefighters have been mobilised to contain two fire outbreaks between the forest and the residential areas. By around 10.40 pm, the flames had already spread 20 hectares. The council has urged residents to avoid the Barjaquets area, near the D113, where the fire brigade is protecting some residential areas and sensitive industrial sites.
The resources deployed are considerable: 70 land vehicles, as well as airborne assets, including 2 Dash aircraft, 2 Canadairs, a water-bombing helicopter and the Horus surveillance aircraft. Operations continued until nightfall.
Follow the Rognac fire live
Evacuations are currently underway in La-Fare-les-Oliviers
To Lançon-Provence, the fire spread through around a hundred hectares in the forest, near the Col du Télégraphe, at around 10.15 pm. The town hall of La-Fare-les-Oliviers has reported that the fire is continuing to spread, heading towards the east of Jas d’Alisson and the west of the town, along Allée des Noyers.
A crisis unit was activated, and residents of the Guigues area were evacuated to the Jean Bernard Cultural Centre, where officials and elected representatives welcome them.
Follow the fire in Lançon-Provence live
A cloud of smoke visible from Marseille
As a result of these fires, a thick cloud of smoke, carried by the wind along the coastline, can be seen from Marseille. A pungent smell hangs in the air this Wednesday evening, bearing witness to the scale of the damage.
High risk of fires in the region
These fires are taking place against a backdrop of persistent drought, by high temperatures and strong wind increasing the risk of a fire breaking out. The authorities are urging people to be vigilant and to comply with fire bans in force in the department.