The fire continues to progress in Ardèche.
More than “320 hectares” have already burned, explained Lieutenant Jean Jaussaud, room manager of Codis (Operational Center for Fire and Rescue), when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening in the town of Lagorce.
And the damage could be even greater since it "is far from fixed".
"It's a very difficult site to access" in "very steep" places, explains the lieutenant.
The origin of the fire is not yet known, but "there were several fires in the area", he adds.
240 firefighters and foresters-sappers mobilized
Four firefighters were slightly injured and 250 people evacuated as a preventive measure on Thursday.
They "were all able to return to their place of residence on Thursday evening", assured the prefect of Ardèche in a press release.
A total of 240 firefighters and foresters-sappers are on the ground on Friday and are hoping for air resources.
Thursday, three Canadair, a water bomber helicopter (HBE) and a dash came in support.
At the end of July, the Ardèche experienced one of the biggest fires in its recent history, with 1,200 hectares ravaged, mobilizing up to 600 men.
A 44-year-old local craftsman suspected of setting the fire has been arrested and charged with arson - a crime punishable by 15 years in prison.
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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes