The first fires broke out in the Morbihan department, in the Vannes-Auray region, this Saturday August 6, 2022, at midday. Then many fires broke out: around thirty, according to a last report, this Sunday evening. 200 hectares of vegetation went up in smoke. No one was injured and no homes were destroyed.
Most of these fires were quickly brought under control (less than one hectare burned). But five were more important, notably in Saint-Philibert, Erdeven and Lecoal-Mendon. The flames quickly spread due to drought and shifting winds. And some fires have resumed. This Sunday evening, firefighters are still trying to control the flames at Saint-Philibert and Erdeven.
Two ongoing investigations
The Lorient Public Prosecutor’s Office opened two investigations: one for the Saint-Philibert fire and the other for the Erdeven and Locoal-Mendon fires. For the first, the investigators are almost certain that the fire started from firecrackers. Debris was found at the scene. Two minors, aged 14 and 16, turned themselves in at the police station. They have been heard and will be auditioned longer during the week.
For the second investigation, there are still few clues to understand what happened… The investigators do not rule out accidental tracks. The interim Prefect of Morbihan, Guillaume Quenet, calls again, this Sunday evening, to be extra vigilant on barbecues or cigarette butts.
People returning to their accommodation and rental
In Erdeven, 300 tourists and locals had been evacuated from their homes, lodges or campsites on Sunday evening. The town halls of Erdeven and Belz had organized themselves to welcome them. Forty of these evacuees spent the night from Saturday to Sunday at the cultural center of Erdeven. All have received permission to return this Sunday evening, from 6 p.m..
Firefighters still on the scene
300 firefighters, from Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Vendée and Eure, were still on site this Sunday. Reinforcements from eastern France are expected overnight. According to Jean-François Gouy, the director of the SDIS, the firefighters should still stay on site for the next 48 hoursfor flooding and monitoring operations.