Already largely tested during the summer by numerous fires, the Gironde is again in the grip of fire departures. A fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. this Sunday in Arès, near Lège-Cap-Ferret, where significant air resources were deployed. The flames started near the old waste collection center, northwest of the town, according to France Bleu. The thick plume of smoke is visible from the Arcachon basin, to Lacanau. “The fire is contained but not fixed”said the prefect of Gironde on Twitter.
A total of 310 people were evacuated, including residents of the “La Canadienne” campsite, she added. Two helicopters, two Dashs, six aircraft and four Canadairs have been deployed on site and are currently in action, while on the ground, 320 firefighters are mobilized. The mayor of Alès Xavier Daney told TF1 / LCI that more than 100 hectares have been burned, and confirmed that the fire is under control but not yet fixed. Gendarmes were also deployed on site: an investigation was opened to determine the origin of this fire.
Departmental roads D106, between Bordeaux and Lège-Cap-Ferret, and D3, between Lège-Cap-Ferret and Le Porge have been closed, said the prefect, calling on residents to be careful. “Avoid the area and follow the diversions”, she recommends. The department urges people who wanted to leave the Bassin d’Arcachon this Sunday evening to stay put for the time being, so as not to obstruct the roads used for the passage of firefighters and evacuees, reports South West.