Fresh Wildfire Threat Forces Widespread Forest Closures in the Var
11 Articles
11 Articles
REPORTING. Seventeen days after the start of the fire in the Gros Bessillon, in the Var, the risk of recovery is "very high" on Thursday, August 6, due to the lifting of the mistral. An "unending nightmare" for the inhabitants of Cotignac, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens. If the firefighters remain on the front, the inhabitants heal the wounds and think of the next.
The soldiers of the fire continue their fight against the resumption of fire in the massif of Gros Bessillon with the fear of a rise of the mistral and temperatures that could approach 40 °C. Moreover, several forest massifs will be closed in the Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, the Pyrénées-Orientales, the Var and the Vaucluse due to the risk of fire.
Jean-Pierre Squillari, former lieutenant-colonel of firefighters, admitted that he had asked for equipment to "protect, in a citizen way" his cabin located in Barjols, where several houses burned in the fire of the Var.
Some 1,200 firefighters are still mobilized near the Gros Bessillon massif. The trail of voluntary fire starts is "seriously envisaged" by the Draguignan Public Prosecutor's Office.
Fresh wildfire threat forces widespread forest closures in the Var
Eight of the Var’s nine forest massifs have been closed on Thursday 6th August as firefighters brace for extreme heat, dry vegetation and a strengthening Mistral. The Gros Bessillon fire is no longer advancing, but firefighters are still working to secure its perimeter and extinguish remaining hot spots. Winds of up to 50km/h are expected to raise the risk of fresh outbreaks during the afternoon, while temperatures could reach 37°C on the coast …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
