AA / Paris / Ümit Dönmez
The fire that ravages the Aude since Tuesday has already traveled 16,000 hectares, affected 15 municipalities and caused the death of a woman, as well as nine injured, including seven firefighters.
Another person remains missing.
Alongside Prime Minister François Bayrou, present on site, in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said it was “the biggest fire since 1949”.
More than 2,150 firefighters, supported by 600 vehicles, four Canadia, two dash and several water bomber helicopters, are mobilized. “We are going to mobilize military means tomorrow with three helicopters and several dozen soldiers,” he added.
An accident also hit the emergency services: a fire truck overturned, injuring four fire soldiers.
“One was seriously injured and seems to be better, he would have a head trauma. The other three are more slightly injured, ”said Bruno Retailleau.
François Bayrou called the disaster as “unprecedented disaster” and highlighted his link with the climate: “Everyone sees what is going on. We are at a time when climate change is felt and leads to unpublished events ”. According to him, this fire is “linked to global warming and drought”.
The head of the French government has also insisted on national solidarity: “whenever part of the French people are affected by a disaster of this order, national solidarity must be expressed”. He sent a particular message to farmers: “We will help you today and prepare tomorrow. We must think of the agriculture of tomorrow, our cultures, our landscapes ”.
The agricultural damage is considerable: the mayor of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse spoke of the loss of “600 hectares of vineyards”, describing the situation of “economic disaster”.
The fire, which has spread over 28 kilometers since its departure, has progressed at a speed of 5 to 6 km/h, sometimes accelerated by the slope effect, and leaves 90 kilometers of still active edges.
Local authorities report great water replenishment difficulties.
While thousands of people had to be evacuated and the departmental roads, as well as the A61 motorway, are cut by sections, the A9 has partially reopened. Emmanuel Macron phoned several elected officials from Aude to express his support.
This fire, already qualified as larger from the 21st century in France, recalls the great fires of the past and brings in memory the tragedy of the Landes of Gascogne in 1949, which had made 82 victims.
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