ARDECHE FIRE. Eight fires broke out in Ardèche on Wednesday July 27, burning 900 hectares in their path. If several fires have been brought under control, the main fire persists and is heading towards Voguë.
The Ardèche was taken by the flames of eight fires and continues to burn in places. The day started early for the firefighters with eight fires declared on the morning of Wednesday July 27, 2022, in the center of the department. The municipalities of Aubenas, Saint-Privat, Darbres, Lussas, Freyssenet and Saint-Julien-du-Serre were affected. In their race, the flames found themselves forming three large fires and reducing to ashes 900 hectares in their path according to the latest situation report from the prefecture relayed by France Blue Ardeche17 hours.
The firefighters managed to control the flames of the Dabres fire in the middle of the day before resuming their right on the fires of Freyssenet and Julien-du-Serre which are about to be brought under control. But the fight is not yet won because the main fire, the one born near Lussas, is still progressing between Lavilledieu and Saint-Sermin. Along the Ardèche River, the fire headed towards Voguë where the 450 firefighters are concentrating their efforts. Significant resources have been mobilized to put out the flames before the fires have burned too much ground: five Canadair, a Dash and a helicopter, all bombers, fly over the Ardèche to try to contain the fire . The firefighters were also able to count on the mobilization of five columns of extra-departmental reinforcements.
Images of fires in Ardèche
The fires that progressed at high speed in Ardèche were captured in images and videos by firefighters and residents. The images show impressive flames and columns of smoke.
In Ardèche, fires are raging between Lussas, Lavilledieu, Saint-Sernin and Vogüé. The latest assessment is 750 hectares burned and the blaze continues… (Thomas Lantus) pic.twitter.com/eA17bnQvSF
— Weather Express (@WeatherExpress) July 27, 2022
What is the toll of the fire in Ardèche?
The flames of the fires advanced over 900 hectares in just one day, but the prefecture is pleased to have no victims and no homes destroyed or threatened by the fires. The authorities still had a heat stroke when the fires approached the industrial zone of Lavilledieu pushing for the emergency evacuation of two factories. The area is now secure.
Preventive evacuations continue in lands close to the flames. France Blue Ardeche reports that Voguë-village is being evacuated and that the inhabitants are being redirected to Lanas.
What is the origin of the fires in Ardèche?
The criminal track is favored for several of the fires that broke out in Ardèche. According The Dauphine Libere, an arsonist was seen near various fire starts by several residents. The information was confirmed by the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operational Center (Codis) with BFM TV.
A suspect arrested
Working on the criminal trail, investigators have already arrested a suspect suspected of being the cause of the fires in Ardèche. The man was arrested in Saint-Julien-du-Serre at the end of the morning, according to France Blue Ardeche, he came out of a bush and returned to his pick-up. The vehicle corresponds to the description of the witnesses who say they saw an arsonist near the start of the fire. The suspect is in his forties. He must be auditioned and his pickup searched.