The department’s prefecture has issued an order prohibiting public access in order to repair the roads and investigate the causes of the fire.
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![Burnt vegetation in the Gardiole massif, north of Frontignan (Hérault) on August 19, 2024. (PASCAL GUYOT / AFP)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/zchWYojXtYmWKXgyBfpf6_dmRYY/0x156:3000x1844/432x243/2024/08/22/frontignan-66c77f807eb65424197189.jpg)
The Gardiole massif, affected by the fire in Hérault, is closed to access until September 1 inclusive, France Bleu Hérault reported on Thursday August 22.
On Sunday, a fire ravaged 320 hectares in the Gardiole massif, between Frontignan and Gigean (Hérault). The flames were finally brought under control during the night from Sunday to Monday. On Tuesday, Colonel Jérôme Bonnafoux, spokesperson for the Hérault firefighters, had declared on franceinfo that the fire in Frontignan was “perfectly mastered” and soon “extinct”. There were no injuries.
The three municipalities affected by the fire (Frontignan-la Peyrade, Gigean and Balaruc-le-Vieux) have asked the prefecture to issue an order to prohibit access to the massif. Signs have been installed on the busiest roads. Those who do not respect the ban risk a fine of 135 euros.
For the time being, the origin of the fire is not known. The Gardiole massif was one of the massifs prohibited from access due to “very high fire risk”.