Almost the entire department has been placed in a "crisis" situation, the highest level of drought warning. Drastic restrictions on water use came into force on Wednesday in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
The authorities have also announced controls and sanctions for individuals and companies that deviate from water-saving measures. The department has already been affected by several fires, as in Saint-Cyprien this Wednesday but also in Argelès last Monday and Cerbère, less than a month ago.