A fire broke out on Monday August 14 south of Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It threatens the towns of Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-André and Sorède. 430 firefighters were sent to the scene. Evacuations were ordered: at least 3,000 people had to leave campsites.
Sdis 66 was alerted around 5 p.m. on Monday August 14, 2023 that a major wildfire was underway in the town of Saint-André in the Pyrénées-Orientales, fueled by drought and strong winds in the area.
At 11 p.m., more than 480 hectares had been covered by the flames in three towns located about fifteen kilometers south of Perpignan: Argelès-sur-Mer, Saint-André and Sorède.
The prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Rodrigue Furcy, questioned around 10:30 p.m., then explains that “the wind tends to push the fire to an area which is between Saint-André and Sorède and therefore to move the fire away from Argelès-sur-mer.” According to the prefecture, the situation then began “to improve”but the fire was not fixed.
“We still have a sensitive point, the intersection between these two municipalities where the fight is still fierce tonight.” Firefighters are trying to stop the fire from jumping the river and spreading beyond it.
Monday evening, certain districts of Argelès-sur-Mer were plunged into darkness. These power cuts are linked to “power lines either affected by fire or cut as a preventive measureexplains the town hall. The Enedis teams are hard at work to restore power as quickly as possible.”
The fire started on the Chemin de la Carrerrasse side in the town of Saint-André and progressed towards Argelès-sur-mer, in a suburban area, and Sorède, further south. From 7 p.m., evacuations to a gymnasium are initiated by the authorities.
In the evening, more than 3,000 occupants of several campsites had been evacuated.
A crisis unit has been opened in Argelès-sur-Mer, announces the town hallin particular to provide “the essential logistical support for the emergency services and the reception of evacuees”. Several rooms have been opened for their “offer shelter” (Jean-Carrère space, Gaston Pams gymnasium, Waldek Rousseau room, Buisson room and canteen of the Albères college). They are open in particular for residents of Le Chêne Rouge, Le Bois Fleurie, Le Rancho and Le Romarin campsites.
“The services of the Pyrénées-Orientales Prefecture, Civil Protection and White Cross will provide 720 beds to allow priority sleeping for children, the elderly and vulnerable people.”
At the height of the deployment, 430 firefighters were fighting the fire, according to the prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales.
Five reinforcement columns have been hired to intervene alongside the 200 firefighters of Sdis 66 and the delaying intervention detachment, explains the Civil security. From the air, eight Canadair, three Dash and three helicopters fought the flames.
The ballet of water bombers lasted until nightfall.
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Canadair in the sky of the Pyrénées-Orientales. • ©Claire Verove / FTV
The Hérault firefighters were dispatched to the scene to reinforce their colleagues from Sdis 66.
A large plume of smoke is visible in the distance. Several residents posted images on social media.
Around 9 p.m., a gigantic plume of smoke was visible from Fort Saint-Elme, located in Port-Vendres about fifteen kilometers further south, on the coast, as shown in this video:
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Smoke from the fire was visible from Fort Saint-Elme. • ©Emmanuelle Gayet
Some people present near the fire also speak of repeated explosions.
This is not the first fire to break out in the area since the start of the summer. On August 4, a fire had already ravaged 10 hectares in Saint-André. 200 firefighters had been mobilized to put out the flames that threatened a campsite and sheds.
The deputy mayor in charge of the security of the town had then not hidden his suspicions about the origin of the disaster and evoked the possible presence of an arsonist who would rage between Argelès-sur-Mer and Saint-André.
For several months, the Pyrénées-Orientales have been in the grip of a major drought. The prefecture had placed the Albères area at “exceptional” fire risk this Monday, August 14, 2023.
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