Marseille, France (EFE).- A fast-moving wildfire near Marseille, France’s second-largest city, has forced evacuations, disrupted transportation, and prompted a stay-at-home order as authorities battle to contain the blaze, fueled by strong mistral winds and high temperatures.
The fire, which broke out Tuesday morning in the suburb of Pennes-Mirebeau, has burned at least 1730 acres of vegetation and spread toward Marseille’s 16th district in the north of the city.
More than 720 firefighters, supported by aerial units, have been deployed to control the flames.
“Although the fire is not fully stabilized, it is under control,” said Georges-François Leclerc, Prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. “I urge the population of Marseille to stay indoors. At home, they are safe and protected from the smoke.”
Leclerc also appealed for calm, asking residents to avoid driving to keep roads clear for emergency responders and potential evacuations.
Homes evacuated, highways and airport shuts down
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan confirmed that “several dozen people” had been evacuated and reported that about “twenty homes” were damaged by the fire.
Emergency services responded to the blaze around 10:50 am local time near the intersection of highways A55 and A7, close to the A552.
Authorities have shut down several major roads, including the A7 and A55 motorways, as well as all regional train traffic between Miramas and Le Estaque.
At Marseille’s main Saint-Charles station, train services to the north and southwest were suspended.
Operations at Aix-Marseille Provence Airport were also halted due to the proximity of the fire to the runways.
So far, there have been no reports of civilian casualties, but nine firefighters have suffered smoke inhalation and one was treated for a back injury, local officials said.
Southern France on high alert amid multiple fires
The French Mediterranean coast has been on high wildfire alert since the weekend, with multiple blazes affecting the region.
In the Narbonne area, a separate wildfire that began Monday has already scorched around 4,940 acres and injured at least ten people.
That blaze forced the temporary closure of the A9 motorway, a major route connecting France with Spain.
Although traffic briefly resumed Tuesday morning, it was suspended again after a new fire broke out between Castelnau-de-Guers and Montagnac, near Béziers and Montpellier.
French authorities continue to monitor weather conditions as high temperatures and gusty winds are expected to persist throughout the week, increasing the risk of new fires. EFE
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