Several fires carried by strong gusts of wind rage since Thursday evening in the Hérault and Gard, classified as "extreme risk" this week due to the wind and a prolonged and intense drought. Since Friday morning 6 hours, firefighters Herault fight against a "virulent fire" which burned some 50 hectares and "walked" 150 in Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière, 50 km north-west from Montpellier.
Some 320 firefighters supported by four Canadairs, 1 Dash and the departmental air cell composed of a helicopter and three planes were deployed on this fire. Thirty drops were made. At midday, firefighters Hérault said that the fire was no longer spread. The fire threatened a car break and several farms and homes that were protected.
Three homes evacuated in Nîmes
In the Hérault, the spread of a fire was stopped at midday in Saint-Pagoire, 50 km west of Montpellier, after burning 27 ha. In the Gard, during the night from Thursday to Friday, a violent forest fire destroyed 1.5 ha in the town of Nîmes, but "the operation was long lasting in conditions of struggle (wind) complicated ", point out the firefighters. Three houses were temporarily evacuated.
Multiple starts of fires also took place in Beaucaire (Gard). The fire of four light vehicles spread in particular to a dwelling and a gas line. Two residents were slightly injured during this operation, after which five people will have to be relocated. Still in Beaucaire, in the area of the cement plant, plant fires destroyed about 10 ha and a dwelling house.