at least 480 hectares covered by flames, 430 firefighters deployed, 3,000 people evacuated from campsites

A fire broke out on Monday August 14 south of Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It threatens the towns of Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-André and Sorède. 430 firefighters were sent to the scene. Evacuations were ordered: at least 3,000 people had to leave campsites.

THE Sdis 66 was alerted around 5 p.m. on Monday August 14, 2023 that a major wildfire was underway in the town of Saint-André in the Eastern Pyreneesfueled by drought and strong winds in the area.

At 11 p.m., more than 480 hectares had been covered by the flames in three towns located about fifteen kilometers south of Perpignan: Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-André and Sorède.

The prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Rodrigue Furcy, questioned around 10:30 p.m., then explains that “the wind tends to push the fire to an area which is between Saint-André and Sorède and therefore to move the fire away from Argelès-sur-mer.” According to the prefecture, the situation then began “to improve”but the fire was not fixed.

“We still have a sensitive point, the intersection between these two municipalities where the fight is still fierce tonight.” Firefighters are trying to stop the fire from jumping the river and spreading beyond it.

The fire has started on the Chemin de la Carrerrasse side in the commune of Saint-André and progressed towardsArgeles-sur-merin a suburban area, and Sorède, further south. Ofs 7 p.m., evacuations to a gymnasium are initiated by the authorities.

In the evening, more than 3,000 occupants of several campsites were evacuated.

At the height of the deployment, 430 firefighters were fighting the fire, according to the prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales.

Five reinforcement columns have been hired to intervene alongside the 200 firefighters of Sdis 66 and the delaying intervention detachment, explains the Civil security. From the air, eight Canadair, three Dash and three helicopters fought the flames.

The ballet of water bombers lasted until nightfall.

The Hérault firefighters were dispatched to reinforce their colleagues from Sdis 66 on site.

A large plume of smoke is visible in the distance. Several residents posted images on social media.

Around 9 p.m., a gigantic plume of smoke was visible from Fort Saint-Elme, located about fifteen kilometers further south, on the side, as shown in this video:

Some people present near the fire also speak of repeated explosions.

This is not the first fire to break out in the area since the start of the summer. On August 4, a fire had already ravaged 10 hectares in Saint-André. 200 firefighters had been mobilized to put out the flames that threatened a campsite and sheds.

The deputy mayor in charge of the security of the town had then not hidden his suspicions about the origin of the disaster and evoked the possible presence of an arsonist who would rage between Argelès-sur-Mer and Saint-André.

For several months, the Pyrénées-Orientales have been in the grip of a major drought. The Pyrénées-Oriantales prefecture had placed the Albères area at exceptional fire risk on Monday August 14, 2023.