The major fire near Castelnou is contained, but not yet under control

Evacuated residents should “probably” be able to return home this Friday

The major fire that broke out on Thursday, September 12 at 3 p.m. in the Aspres, near Castelnou, southwest of Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales), has not progressed since midnight, according to firefighters, contacted by France Bleu Roussillon. The fire is “contained”, but not yet under control. The fire has covered approximately 400 hectares, 300 of which have burned. Five firefighters were slightly injured, according to the latest report given by the director of Sdis 66 on France Bleu Roussillon. A farmhouse was damaged.

“We will remain vigilant all morning to drown this fire, and we hope to bring it under control this afternoon.”indicates the fire chief, Eric Belgoïno, who mentions “extreme conditions”. Due to the drought, “We are faced with fires that are virulent, that are explosive. We have sometimes seen widespread blazes in some places.”explains the colonel.
500 firefighters are still mobilized this Friday morning, as well as three water bombing helicopters.

Residents will be able to “probably” return home this Friday, according to the firefighters. As a precautionary measure, 80 residents were evacuated, according to France Bleu Roussillon. Around twenty people from the village of Castelnou spent the night in a hotel. Isolated farmhouses in Caixas and Montauriol were also evacuated. On the scene, traffic was cut off on two departmental roads (RD48 and RD2).

Up to 800 firefighters were mobilized, including 300 from Aude, Montpellier, Nîmes, Marseille, Bordeaux, Drôme and Ardèche. Significant air resources were also deployed: two water-bombing helicopters, five Dash planes, seven Canadairs and a gendarmerie helicopter.