The firefighters of the Pyrénées-Orientales tried this Tuesday evening to put out several fires, including a "violent" one which broke out in the town of Opoul-Périllos, (Pyrénées-Orientales) ravaging nearly 1,000 ha of vegetation.
A previous report from the firefighters reported "300 to 400 ha of vegetation burned" shortly before 6 p.m.
400 firefighters from all over the department but also from Aude and Hérault are currently trying to control the fire, supported by eight water bomber planes, indicates France Bleu.
The fire approaching “rapidly” in the town of Salses-le-Château, 122 people were evacuated from the Bois des pins campsite and a residence in the early evening, adds the regional newspaper.
The fire "probably of criminal origin", according to the mayor of Opoul-Périllos Pascal Sarda, broke out around noon.
Other fires in the department
In Rivesaltes, about ten kilometers further south, another fire, of lesser magnitude, nevertheless required the intervention of 90 firefighters who evacuated more than a hundred people whose homes were threatened by fire as well as the railway line which has been temporarily cut.
In Saint-Féliu-d'Avall, west of Perpignan, another fire broke out along the RN 116. "The axis is cut in both directions of traffic," said the prefecture.
🔥 #PyrénéesOrientales: difficult situation tonight with several #fires out of control, especially in the areas of #Opoul and #Rivesaltes.
Significant air resources and hundreds of firefighters mobilized, the #A9 highway is cut (photo Christophe Elbechir) @LCI pic.twitter.com/C73xErflVl
— Guillaume Woznica (@GWoznica) June 28, 2022
“The situation is almost under control” on these last two fires, said the firefighters, who however maintain staff on site to avoid a resumption of the flames.
These fires caused the temporary closure of the A9 motorway between Narbonne and Perpignan, as well as the interruption for a few hours of rail traffic between these two cities.
The motorway is still cut between Rivesaltes and Leucate in both directions, indicates France bleu.