A FOREST FIRE STARTED FRIDAY IN LANDES, FRANCE, on Friday and was determined early to have been an arson. The fire has destroyed 167 hectares since Friday afternoon and was still out of control early Saturday afternoon. ”This is an arson because there were three remote, simultaneous fires so far identified,” said Capt. Patrick Huchet, commander of the gendarmerie company Parentis.
all photos via Sud Ouest
About 50 firefighters, assisted by two Canadair and three bulldozers were still on site early Saturday afternoon to “surround the fire so it does not set boundaries,” said Stephane Poyau Commander Centre departmental operational fire and rescue (CODIS). According to him, a total of 167 hectares of forest have burned, which represents the largest fire of the summer in the Landes forest. ”The coming hours will be fateful, however, stated Mr. Poyau, recalling that the air temperature is high and the wind, although not significant, is likely to rekindle the fire in some locations.
On-site technicians of criminal investigation and police investigators continued Saturday afternoon to “collect evidence and intelligence,” said Jean-Pierre Lafitte, the prosecutor of Mont-de-Marsan said while on site Saturday morning. ”We have no suspects yet,” he said, adding that an appeal for witnesses has been launched with people who would have noticed, Friday at 2:00 p.m., “suspicious behavior at the road that connects Sanguinet Biscarosse.
BFM-TV posted this video report from the scene that shows a variety of fire apparatus including the command post:
Piste criminelle pour l’incendie dans les Landes
Uploaded by BFMTV. – Up-to-the minute news videos.
Significant human resources and air support were brought in Friday afternoon to control the fire, which necessitated the evacuation as a precaution for a few hours of thirty houses. At the height of the event more than 150 firefighters, two Canadair, two Dash and two other aircraft from Marignane (Bouches-du-Rhone) were on hand.
Update: It was announced Saturday night that the fire has been contained.
Sud Ouest has the STORY.
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