header logo
Vallibel FD
vallible LE
Latest
France orders evacuation of peninsula as hundreds flee wildfires by boat
Jul 24, 202601:47 PM
France orders evacuation of peninsula as hundreds flee wildfires by boat
Mobitel inner 1278

French authorities have ordered the evacuation of the entirety of the Cap Ferret peninsula (Lège-Cap Ferret) on the south-west coast, with hundreds of people escaping the area by boat.

 

The tourism hot spot is being evacuated as firefighters continue to battle a wildfire that has raged in the Gironde region for days.

 

The fire, which began on Tuesday in Saumos, continued to burn overnight with 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres) consumed by the flames.

 

Meanwhile, the government in Spain has declared a national emergency as wildfires burn out of control in several areas close to the capital Madrid.

 

No further casualties have been reported overnight in south-west France, although two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling a blaze near Bordeaux airport.

 

Down the Atlantic coast, around the town of Biscarosse in France's Landes region, another "major" fire that began on Thursday afternoon has prompted the evacuations of more than 23,000 people.

 

About 18,000 people in Biscarrosse and 5,000 in Parentis-en-Born had to leave their homes, campsites, a nursing home and a summer camp.

 

An update from the region on Friday morning said the centre of Biscarrosse was currently being evacuated.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday night the wildfire situation in the country was "very tense" - especially in the Gironde region.

 

Macron said he had asked for help from the European Union, and that support would soon come in the form of aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

 

Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas ordered the "final phase" of the peninsula evacuation early on Friday morning.

 

People are being told to leave via the main D106 road towards Bordeaux while boats were being made available for others between 07:00 and 10:00 local time (06:00 BST and 09:00 BST) from four piers.

 

Around 20,000 people within the Gironde region had been evacuated within the Gironde region on Thursday many of whom were visitors to campsites on the peninsula.

 

Further evacuations also took place from La Porge on Thursday night which Ms Brocas said had taken place "calmly".

 

She added that homes in evacuated areas would be monitored to prevent any vandalism.

 

"Significant resources" remain on the ground tackling the blaze while additional ground and air reinforcements are due in the coming hours.

 

The public has been told not to go to the affected areas.

 

In Spain, firefighters are tackling wildfires in several areas not far from Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a national emergency as fires burned at Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Madrid region and at Burgohondo in Ávila.

 

An update on Friday morning described both fires as "out of control" although their progression in recent hours had been "limited".

 

Aldea del Fresno and some other areas in the region have been evacuated.

 

Source: BBC

 

--Agencies 

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them (mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Comments

0
Comments are disabled

Note: Due to legal constraints, the Ada Derana Editorial team has taken a decision to disable comments on all articles concerning ongoing court procedures.

MostRead
Mobitel 1278
VideoStories
Several areas including Colombo receive heavy rains | Rainfall likely to increase on Nov 14, 15 & 16

Several areas including Colombo receive heavy rains | Rainfall likely to increase on Nov 14, 15 & 16

 President to deliver 2027 Budget Speech tomorrow | Focus on macro picture of Budget – Dy Minister

President to deliver 2027 Budget Speech tomorrow | Focus on macro picture of Budget – Dy Minister

Pilotless passenger drone makes inaugural flight in Sri Lanka

Pilotless passenger drone makes inaugural flight in Sri Lanka

Contempt case against Dilith Jayaweera and 5 others; Further consideration adjourned to tomorrow

Contempt case against Dilith Jayaweera and 5 others; Further consideration adjourned to tomorrow

 Four killed, 70 injured in three-bus collision in Rambewa; Reckless overtaking & speeding suspected

Four killed, 70 injured in three-bus collision in Rambewa; Reckless overtaking & speeding suspected

 Cabinet approves $200mn ADB loan to boost SME Sector

Cabinet approves $200mn ADB loan to boost SME Sector

Colombo flooding examined at DCC meeting;

Colombo flooding examined at DCC meeting;

 Bay of Bengal disturbance may develop into depression; Rains expected to intensify from Nov. 15

Bay of Bengal disturbance may develop into depression; Rains expected to intensify from Nov. 15

Govt. to amend Organised Crime Prevention Bill

Govt. to amend Organised Crime Prevention Bill

 Monks seek pardon for Gnanasara Thero; Urge govt. to curb anti-Buddhist activities in the country

Monks seek pardon for Gnanasara Thero; Urge govt. to curb anti-Buddhist activities in the country

GMOA to stage protest in Colombo tomorrow; Govt reserves right to take action against obstacles – MP

GMOA to stage protest in Colombo tomorrow; Govt reserves right to take action against obstacles – MP

Showers wreak havoc across Sri Lanka; Another low pressure system over Bay of Bengal on Nov. 11

Showers wreak havoc across Sri Lanka; Another low pressure system over Bay of Bengal on Nov. 11

What caused floods in Colombo? Special emergency response taskforce to be set up

What caused floods in Colombo? Special emergency response taskforce to be set up

New bills should empower courts rather than police and politicians -Ex-Justice Minister on Hyde Park

New bills should empower courts rather than police and politicians -Ex-Justice Minister on Hyde Park

Deniyaya Tragedy: Bodies of all victims recovered Another teenager goes missing after boat accident

Deniyaya Tragedy: Bodies of all victims recovered Another teenager goes missing after boat accident

Lassana Flora