2 weeks ago
New Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 525 in Southwest France
A big fire started in France, in a place called Landes that is full of pine trees.
The trees were very dry because of the hot summer, so the fire spread quickly.
To keep people safe, 525 people who live in a village called Luglon had to leave their homes.
The fire has burned a lot of land, more than a thousand hectares, which is like thousands of football fields.
About 500 firefighters and six airplanes are working hard to stop it.
It is so hot there that the temperature is expected to reach 36 degrees.
This is not the first fire this summer; even bigger fires happened nearby in July.
Police have arrested many people who may have started fires, including some young people.
Firefighters and planes keep working hard to make sure everyone is safe.
French authorities evacuated 525 people from the village of Luglon after a new wildfire broke out in the Landes region of southwestern France.
The fire has razed 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) since it began on Thursday and has spread to within 2 km (1.2 miles) of Luglon's centre.
About 500 firefighters and six aircraft are battling the flames, which regional official Gilles Clavreul described as still raging.
Luglon is about 100 km (62 miles) from Arcachon Bay, where two major fires destroyed more than 50,000 hectares and forced up to 220,000 people to evacuate in late July.
French media reported that a 15-year-old was arrested over a July fire near Bordeaux airport that killed two firefighters; the interior ministry says 474 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting fires.
- Who
- French authorities, regional official Gilles Clavreul, about 500 firefighters, and the 525 residents evacuated from Luglon.
- What
- A new wildfire in the pine forests of the Landes region forced the evacuation of 525 people and has burned 1,100 hectares.
- Where
- Luglon, in the Landes region of southwestern France, about 100 km southeast of Arcachon Bay.
- When
- The fire began on Thursday, with evacuations and updates reported on Friday, August 14.
- Why
- The pine woods become highly flammable when dry amid summer heatwaves; officials did not comment on the possible origin of this fire.
Key facts
- Evacuated
- 525 people from Luglon
- Area burned
- 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres)
- Firefighters deployed
- About 500
- Aircraft deployed
- 6
- Distance from Luglon centre
- 2 km (1.2 miles)
- Forecast high temperature
- 36°C (97°F)
- July Arcachon Bay fires
- More than 50,000 hectares destroyed; up to 220,000 people evacuated
- Fire-related arrests in France
- 474 people, including 183 minors
Quotes
Gilles Clavreul
Regional official for the Landes area
“"The situation is unfavorable and the fire remains raging."”
theprint.in
Sources
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