Corsica remains gripped by flames this weekend, with the situation improving near Corte and Oletta, but a new active fire front threatening homes in Biguglia and Furiani. More than 200 firefighters and aerial resources have been mobilised to contain these fires, amidst challenging weather conditions.
Corte: 900 hectares burnt; the fire is on the verge of being brought under control
Since 16 July, a fire near Corte has destroyed 900 hectares of vegetation. During the night from Saturday to Sunday, 60 personnel, including 52 firefighters from the Haute-Corse Fire and Rescue Service (SIS 2B), reinforced by personnel from the mainland, worked tirelessly to contain the fire’s spread towards Tavignano. The flames consumed a further 160 hectares on Saturday, but the emergency services announced that the leading edge of the fire was “on the verge of being brought under control”. The Haute-Corse prefecture confirmed in the early afternoon that the most threatening hotspots had been “brought under control”.
Oletta: fire brought under control after 10 hectares were burnt
Another fire broke out on Saturday at around 1.30 pm in the Oletta plain, near Lake Padule. Thanks to a swift response, the flames – fanned by a strong wind – were brought under control by late afternoon after having spread across 10 hectares of scrubland. No residents were at risk. Significant resources were deployed: two ‘Pélican’ water-bombing aircraft, a heavy water-bombing helicopter diverted from the fire in Corte, and nearly 40 firefighters.
Biguglia and Furiani: 100 hectares surveyed, homes under threat
A new fire, described by the fire brigade as “extremely intense”, broke out on Saturday afternoon in the hills above Biguglia, as reported by Corsica-Matin. This Sunday, 130 firefighters, supported by two ‘Pélican’ water-bombing aircraft, are still battling the flames, which have already spread across nearly 100 hectares. The fire, which is stabilising in Furiani, remains active near Biguglia, where it is threatening residential areas. “The fire has almost reached the western part of the Teghime-Lancone firefighting support zone. In the southern section, it has crossed the ridge and is heading towards the Lancone gorge,” says the Codis 2B.
As yet, no evacuation has been ordered, but the fire brigade is working to secure the first homes. “We are in the process of securing the first homes,” confirmed Jean-Charles Giabiconi, mayor of Biguglia. Louis Pozzo di Borgo, deputy mayor of Furiani, explained that “the wind appears to be driving the fire towards the ridges”. Emergency services are focusing their efforts on preventing the flames from spreading towards built-up areas.
To track the progress of the fires in real time, visit our map of current fires. In the event of an emergency, report a fire via our dedicated platform.