The fire declared in Trévillach, in the French department of Pyrénées-Orientales, has already burned nearly 4,500 hectares and has become the most serious fire currently affecting the south of France. The provisional toll includes a firefighter and a resident in critical condition, as well as the evacuation of 10,000 people by order of the authorities.
"The fire has ravaged about 4,500 hectares. The meteorological conditions remain unfavorable and require a significant mobilization of emergency services to be maintained," the prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales reported in a message on social media, indicating that "the situation continues to evolve."
In the same statement, the prefecture indicated that up to 26 municipalities have been ordered to leave the area, specifying that the evacuees are being directed to two assembly points set up in Thuir and Canohès, "before being transferred to the reception centers opened in the department."
The towns affected by these measures are: Caixas, Castelnou, Camélas, Llauro, St-Michel de Llotes, Corbère, Boule d'Amont, Casefabre, Boulternères, Corbère-les-Cabanes, Ille-sur-Têt, Rodès, Marcevols, Tarerach, Montalba-le-Château, Oms, Montauriol, Tordères, Taillet, Taulis, Prunet-et-Belpuig, St-Colombe-de-la-Commanderie, Joch, Rigarda, Calmeilles and Glorianes.
In total, the evacuations decreed in Pyrénées-Orientales amount to 10,000 residents, according to French media such as TF1 and BFMTV. To the latter channel, the prefect of the department, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, explained that a firefighter and an inhabitant "who suffered burns" were injured this Sunday and remain in critical condition.
In parallel, the administration has issued several warnings on social media asking citizens "not to return to the evacuated villages, not even to collect personal belongings or to go to work." "It is essential," it stressed, "for emergency services to be able to act in the best conditions and ensure everyone's safety."
"Do not use the roads located in the affected area, not even to travel to your workplace," the publication emphasizes, asking that the roads remain "completely clear for emergency vehicles and mobilized resources," as "firefighting and safety operations continue."
For this reason, the local government has asked employees who cannot travel "to inform their company that they cannot come to their workplace due to current security measures", recalling that "every trip that is not essential complicates the work of emergency services and can put lives in danger". "Your presence in these areas hinders the work of firefighters intervening on the ground", it has stressed.
The Pyrénées-Orientales fire joins other active outbreaks in the south of France, especially in the Occitanie region. In the neighboring department of Gard, authorities have estimated "more than 540" hectares affected by the flames. According to BFMTV, the local fire commander, Nicolas Baro, explained that this fire is now under control.