The criminal track is " indisputable ", a dozen very close fire starts having caused a fire, controlled today, which devastated 20 hectares in Sainte-Cécile d'Andorge (Gard), said Thursday July 30 to AFP a source close to the investigation.
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" The voluntary origin is obvious ", added the sub-prefect of Alès Jean Rampon, questioned by AFP. “ The fire starts in the dead of night. There are no activities in the area, no homes. The fire cannot start on its own, ”he stressed, calling on the population to“ report suspicious behavior ”.
Around 10:30 am Thursday, the Gard firefighters announced that this forest fire in this town located 70 kilometers north of Nîmes had been brought under control. The fire burned areas in a large area of softwood and hardwood trees. More than 20 forest fire fighting vehicles and nearly 120 firefighters are still engaged on Thursday to carry out the difficult work of flooding the edges in a massif with sometimes steep relief, on the borders of Gard and Lozère.
“ Given the expected rise in temperatures, a probable drop in humidity and the establishment of a breeze during the day, the conditions are ripe for the outbreak and development of forest fires. Vigilance and caution are therefore required, ”warn the Gard firefighters. The investigation must be carried out jointly by the gendarmerie and specialized firefighters.