This is one of the biggest fires that France has known this summer. And it did not declare itself in a department on the shores of the Mediterranean, but in the middle of the mountains, in the Hautes-Alpes. Since Sunday evening, firefighters have been trying to put out a major fire that broke out at the gates of the town of Chanousse, as a heat wave hit half of France.
“The surface covered is always the same, around 130 hectares, reports for 20 Minutes Marseilles Lieutenant Jean-Remy Magnan. We have over 300 firefighters on site. The reconnaissance this morning still reports some hot spots and fumaroles. We have requested additional air resources and are awaiting water bomber helicopters. »
“The fire is progressing very slowly but it is very inaccessible, which creates great difficulties, he is alarmed. Civil security units create access using bulldozers. The fire broke out on a steep slope and on ridge lines. There are rock bars, which complicates access. At the same time, the firefighters are trying to light counterfires to stem the situation which has now persisted for more than twenty-four hours. The investigation entrusted to the gendarmerie is still ongoing.