The prefecture announced that the fire which devastated nearly thirty hectares in Vitrolles in the Bouches-du-Rhône was under control. The A7 motorway, which had been temporarily closed in both directions of traffic, is again open between Vitrolles and Rognac.
A fire started in the early afternoon, Sunday 23 August, at Vitrolles, in the Bouches-du-Rhône, near a cemetery reported the daily Provence . At the height of the fire, nearly 250 firefighters were mobilized on site, as well as a large air force. Thirty hectares went up in smoke. About 500 homes evacuated for prevention reports France Blue Provence .
The #fire is still in progress at #Vitrolles as seen here from the Vignettes. Canadair and #firefighters do all they can to contain it pic.twitter.com/3MdT3WDIML
– La Provence (@laprovence) August 23, 2020
Canadian troops, a Dash and water bomber helicopters flew over the area during the afternoon to gradually extinguish the blaze.
The forest areas of Bouches-du-Rhône had been prohibited from access this Sunday by the prefecture, due to a strong risk of fire. The wind which blows on the department fuels the propagation of fires.
?Feu de Vitrolles: More than 250 firefighters and civil security involved, 30 hectares covered, A7 motorway closed in both directions, 5 #Canadair, 2 #Dash, 2 #Bengal. Fire always in progress, listen to the first aid instructions, Avoid the area.@ Firefighters_13 pic.twitter.com/ZY2gWRymmS
– FOREST FIRES (@FeuxdeForet_FR) August 23, 2020
Evacuations
The fire which had reached the northern sector of the city was located near houses. Firefighters asked to avoid the area.
Houses in the area were evacuated. Residents who must leave their homes went to the Maurice Piot gymnasium, opened by the municipality.
The municipality called on the Vitrollais to remain confined to their homes.
#Forest fire #Vitrolles In support of the firefighters in the field, 5 ?? #Canadair are engaged to fight against the flames and protect threatened homes.
Follow the instructions of the authorities and #secours @ Prefet13 @ Firefighters_13
? Avoid the area https://t.co/2wm9DMEo6s– Civil Security (@SecCivileFrance) August 23, 2020
The A7 temporarily closed
Now open to traffic again, the A7 motorway has been temporarily closed to traffic in the Marseille-Lyon direction, due to its proximity to the place where the fire started.
Firefighters are also fighting in Marignane, where Marseille-Provence airport is located, air traffic would be disrupted according to the daily Provence ?.
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