Firefighters face a rapidly spreading wildfire near Marseille, forcing evacuations and igniting widespread concern.
Wildfires Rage Near Marseille, Prompting Evacuations and Emergency Response
Wildfires Rage Near Marseille, Prompting Evacuations and Emergency Response
A thousand firefighters battle a massive blaze threatening the city amid summer heatwave conditions.
As a fierce wildfire encroaches on Marseille, approximately 1,000 firefighters are engaged in a desperate battle to protect France's second-largest city. According to Mayor Benoît Payan, local fire and rescue services are undertaking "guerrilla warfare" tactics to combat the flames on the outskirts of the city. Fire officials are hopeful as the situation remains "under control," albeit not static, remarks prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhône area Georges-François Leclerc.
The fire has already resulted in the evacuation of at least 400 residents and left nine firefighters injured, with around 20 structures afflicted by the flames. Officials reported that the fire spread at an alarming rate of up to 1.2 kilometers per minute at its peak due to the combination of high winds, dense vegetation, and steep terrain, leading to rapid devastation.
On a state visit to the UK, President Emmanuel Macron extended support to the fire crews, calling for residents to heed safety measures. “Our thoughts are with the injured and affected residents,” he shared on X. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has also arrived to consult with local officials on the situation.
Marseille Provence Airport has partially reopened following a midday closure due to the smoke engulfing the area. Julien Coffinier, the airport’s president, noted the unprecedented nature of the event. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, properly secure their homes, and ensure roadways remain clear for emergency responders.
The blaze ignited earlier Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, reportedly originating from a vehicle fire on the motorway, and has consumed nearly 700 hectares (7 sq km). As strong winds were expected to persist into the evening, local authorities cautioned that the fire could still expand.
Experience of residents has been stark; one local, Monique Baillard, described the scene as “apocalyptic,” revealing that many neighbors were already fleeing the area. Online footage showcases massive smoke clouds hanging ominously over the city as multiple wildfires throughout France and Europe continue to provoke alarm.
In a separate incident, a wildfire that erupted near Narbonne has ravaged approximately 2,000 hectares since Monday. Conditions remain grim across Europe, with wildfires reported in Spain's Catalonia and across Greece, where 41 wildfires ignited this past Monday alone. The region is bracing for extreme weather, including scorching temperatures that have become breeding grounds for wildfires, resulting in the evacuation of thousands.
The fire has already resulted in the evacuation of at least 400 residents and left nine firefighters injured, with around 20 structures afflicted by the flames. Officials reported that the fire spread at an alarming rate of up to 1.2 kilometers per minute at its peak due to the combination of high winds, dense vegetation, and steep terrain, leading to rapid devastation.
On a state visit to the UK, President Emmanuel Macron extended support to the fire crews, calling for residents to heed safety measures. “Our thoughts are with the injured and affected residents,” he shared on X. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has also arrived to consult with local officials on the situation.
Marseille Provence Airport has partially reopened following a midday closure due to the smoke engulfing the area. Julien Coffinier, the airport’s president, noted the unprecedented nature of the event. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, properly secure their homes, and ensure roadways remain clear for emergency responders.
The blaze ignited earlier Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, reportedly originating from a vehicle fire on the motorway, and has consumed nearly 700 hectares (7 sq km). As strong winds were expected to persist into the evening, local authorities cautioned that the fire could still expand.
Experience of residents has been stark; one local, Monique Baillard, described the scene as “apocalyptic,” revealing that many neighbors were already fleeing the area. Online footage showcases massive smoke clouds hanging ominously over the city as multiple wildfires throughout France and Europe continue to provoke alarm.
In a separate incident, a wildfire that erupted near Narbonne has ravaged approximately 2,000 hectares since Monday. Conditions remain grim across Europe, with wildfires reported in Spain's Catalonia and across Greece, where 41 wildfires ignited this past Monday alone. The region is bracing for extreme weather, including scorching temperatures that have become breeding grounds for wildfires, resulting in the evacuation of thousands.
