An impressive fire broke out late Saturday morning in the Clape massif, near Narbonne Plage.
Some 250 hectares were destroyed and 170 people were evacuated, said the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operational Center (Codis).
Very large means were deployed on the spot to try to control the flames.
In detail, twelve forest fire trucks and several command vehicles were dispatched to the scene, specifies L'Indépendant.
đź”´ A vegetation fire ravaged the Clape massif in Narbonne-Plage (11).
âś… Avoid the area and facilitate access to the @ SDIS11 firefighters.
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- FOREST FIRES (@FeuxdeForet_FR) July 3, 2021
500 firefighters and rescuers were mobilized, said on Twitter the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, adding that "320 water drops" were carried out in the disaster area.
500 firefighters and rescuers are currently mobilized to deal with the fire in Narbonne.
In the air, 11 water bombers and helicopters have already carried out 320 drops.
Support for our firefighters, civil security personnel and residents.
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- GĂ©rald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) July 3, 2021
Significant air assets were deployed: six Canadairs, three Dash (water bomber planes) and two helicopters were also called in as reinforcements.
The urgency is real since the fire is spreading very quickly in an area of ​​low vegetation, with brush and pines, continues L'Indépendant.
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The fire is currently heading towards the town of Gruissan (Aude).
Some 140 people who were in a campsite were evacuated, as well as around 30 people residing in homes.
These dwellings have been preserved.
Several canadairs take turns.
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- Arnaud Jamin (@arnaud_jamin) July 3, 2021
"Safety measures on certain inhabited parts on the edge of the massif" are however in progress, affirmed Colonel Jean-Luc Beccari, departmental director of the fire department of the region, with BFMTV. The Narbonne Plage road, which is very popular with holidaymakers, has also been closed to traffic. The firefighters called on everyone to avoid the disaster area, in order to facilitate the work of the emergency services.