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Pyrénées-Orientales: a village threatened by a violent fire, residents evacuated
Pyrénées-Orientales: a village threatened by a violent fire, residents evacuated
(France 2)
Nearly 800 firefighters are battling a very violent fire, which has already burned 440 hectares of vegetation in the Pyrénées-Orientales, on Thursday, September 12. The inhabitants of the village of Castelnou have been evacuated.
Firefighters are waging a difficult battle against a violent fire that has already engulfed a house and 440 hectares of vegetation in the Pyrénées-Orientales on Thursday, September 12. Threatened by the flames, residents of several municipalities had to be evacuated. Before leaving, an 88-year-old parishioner closed the door of the church in Castelnou (Pyrénées-Orientales), hoping that this would be enough.
Fanned by the tramontane wind blowing at 70 km/h, the fire is spreading quickly. To prevent it from spreading to the entire valley, the resources are massive: 800 firefighters, seven Canadairs, two water-bombing helicopters and five Dashes are taking turns before nightfall. They will soon be reinforced by another plane from Corsica. Their mission is expected to be difficult in the face of the tramontane wind which is not expected to drop in the coming days. As a precaution, the firefighters are calling on the population not to travel in the area.