UPDATE: Firefighter still battling fires in Maine-et-Loire (France), 620 hectares of forest destroyed

UPDATE: Firefighter still battling fires in Maine-et-Loire (France), 620 hectares of forest destroyed

UPDATE: Firefighter still battling fires in Maine-et-Loire (France), 620 hectares of forest destroyed. Image: @Prefet49

THE fire in France’s Maine-et-Loire is still raging on Tuesday, August 9, according to firefighters, who said that it continues its progression south.

UPDATE 7 pm (August 9) – Firefighters told AFP, that “620 hectares of forest in Maine-et-Loire have burned and the fire has still not been extinguished.”

Local media reported two fire starts in Saint-Quentin and Saint-Martin, 15 km from the epicentre of the fire in Clefs-Val d’Anjou.

Another fire was reported in the Beaulieu-sur-Layon forest around 4 pm Tuesday, August 9. In total, another 500 hectares are still in danger of going up in smoke.

“317 men are engaged and 107 vehicles” were dispatched to the scene. According to AFP, some farmers have helped by bringing water to the edges of the area using “tanker tractors.”

Around 20 people were evacuated in total, most of whom were staying in an accommodation centre for people with disabilities.

Twitter account ISS Above You shared a video reportedly showing that the wildfires across western France in the Maine-et-Loire region near Angers and Nantes are visible from the Space Station at 5.38 pm on Tuesday, August 9.


ORIGINAL – Fifteen people with disabilities have reportedly been evacuated to the village hall of the commune of Vaulandry on Monday, August 8 after a huge fire broke out in the French town of Clefs-Val-d’Anjou (Maine-et-Loire), located a few kilometres south of La Fleche (Sarthe).

According to local media reports, the fire, which has been picked up on satellite images due to its size, broke out at around 1 pm in the Clefs-Val-d’Anjou neighbourhood of Maine-et-Loire and has yet to be brought under control.

So far, around 30 hectares of vegetation have already been destroyed in the fire.

Fire crews reported that the fire originated in a place called Monjoie and has spread significantly.

“The fire is growing in fire, which for the time being has not been isolated,” the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) of Maine said at 3.30 pm.

Around 100 firefighters are currently on the scene tackling the blaze, as reported by Ouest-France .

The force said on social media: “Area to avoid. Many of you have reported smoke and a burning smell. Firefighters are on site and are doing everything they can to contain the fire. Do not overload emergency lines 18-112.”

As noted, the Maine-et-Loire fire is visible from the satellite, according to one Twitter user.

Other social media accounts have shared pictures of the fire.

“More multiple fires started in France on August 8, including a major blaze towards Baugé-en-Anjou in Maine-et-Loire where 100 firefighters are mobilised.”

Another wrote: “Mayor traveling to La Flèche. Fire in progress towards Clefs delegated municipality of Baugé in Anjou. Thank you to the firefighters. Vigilance and caution to all.”

The blaze in France’s Maine-et-Loire comes weeks after rescue planes put out flames in Bouches-du-Rhône .

On Monday, July 18, the mayor of Barbentane, Jean-Christophe Daudet, revealed that flames nearly reached housing areas before being put out.


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Written by

Matthew Roscoe

Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.

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