High Fire Risk in South-East France
Météo France has issued a warning for eight departments around the Mediterranean, declaring a "high danger" for forest fires on Wednesday. The affected areas include the Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Hérault, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Drome, and Var. With temperatures soaring between 28 to 35°C and gusts of wind reaching up to 70 km/h, the conditions are ripe for potential fire outbreaks. The forecaster warns that the risk of ignition and spread will be significantly higher than normal for this time of year.
Access Restrictions Implemented
In response to the heightened fire risk, several forested areas are now off-limits to the public. In Hérault, four massifs are entirely closed, while three others are strongly discouraged for access. Similarly, in Gard, two massifs are at "very severe risk (red)" and completely closed, with additional areas under regulated access. Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône are also taking precautionary measures, with numerous massifs designated as "red" and prohibited from access. These restrictions are crucial for public safety, especially given that 90% of forest fires are attributed to human activity.
Recent Forest Fires in Occitania
This weekend, significant forest fires broke out in Occitania, leading to the evacuation of 3,000 vacationers from a campsite in Canet-en-Roussillon and devastating 350 hectares of pine forest in Frontignan. The resigning Ministers of the Interior and Ecological Transition visited the affected areas, noting that although the summer's fire season has been relatively mild, preventive measures are essential. They reiterated the importance of public compliance with access restrictions to mitigate the risk of human-caused fires.
- The prefectures have published detailed maps indicating the specific areas affected by these access restrictions. As the weather conditions evolve, the danger level is expected to decrease to "moderate" on Thursday. This proactive approach aims to safeguard both the environment and the public, especially during peak fire season.
