The fires in the hinterland of Saint-Tropez broke out on Monday after severe drought and heat. Now there is a first fatality to be mourned.
Toulon / Avignon – The fire brigade in southern France continues to fight extensive forest fires with a large contingent. The authorities reported one dead. The flames in the mountainous hinterland of the Bay of Saint-Tropez are not yet under control.
7,000 hectares of land have already been burned, said the prefecture in the Mediterranean city of Toulon on Wednesday morning. Over 7,000 residents and tourists who had been brought to safety had to spend the night in 15 emergency shelters.
900 firefighters are in action in the fight against the flames. Work is being done to restore the telephone and power supply.
Meanwhile, a person was killed in the flames, the prefecture announced. According to the broadcaster “France Bleu Provence”, a 50-year-old man was discovered dead by a friend in his burned-out house. According to the prefecture, five firefighters have been slightly injured during the operation, and around 20 people have suffered smoke inhalation.
The fires broke out on Monday after severe drought and heat. Wind fanned the flames again and again in spite of all extinguishing operations – also with airplanes and helicopters.
🔥🎥 # FeuDeForêt in the #Var (83): After the support of air resources until nightfall, discover how the fight against the flames continued for the firefighters ⤵️
✅ No additional homes were burnt down during the night. @ Prefet83 @ SDIS83 pic.twitter.com/2Zn2DYUT7L– Civil Security (@SecCivileFrance) August 18, 2021
In addition, over 300 firefighters fought another fire near the southern French wine town of Beaumes de Venise in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. 130 people, including tourists, were brought to safety. As the prefecture in Avignon announced, six emergency services suffered heat stroke and two fire engines were burned. dpa
