Forest Fires - Mediterranean France - danger
Several areas of Mediterranean France, especially the Var, are affected by forest fires. Homes (our friends in La Croix Valmer/Gigaro) and campsites are being evacuated - and if you're heading in that direction (from Marseille to the Italian coast and even inland Provence) then do check that your destination isn't affected before you go.
Some details here in Le Dauphine but new fires are starting, and being fanned by the mistral and lack of rain so almost anywhere could be affected.
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Hi lesandang,
I have checked the Selection Camping website and there is no information on there. If you click here though you will see a map showing the area as being very badly affected. If you are due to travel to the site may I suggest you give them a call, their number as stated on their website is +33 4 94 55 10 30.
Stay safe.
Tracy
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We had our 'own' fire in our French village yesterday, when an area of grassy bank and trees. two houses away from us, went up in flames, literally in seconds, fanned by the wind. Fortunately David and I were around to see it, one of the village workers was already there and there were two hosepipes in the garden of the house above the bank. David and the workmen got the hoses working, fortunately just as two of the trees started to burn and the flames leapt up the whole tree(s) in just a few seconds!. I ran backwards and forwards with buckets, watering cans, etc, as did the owner of the house at the other side. The house owner above the bank, an elderly lady with heart problems, had called the fire brigade, but it took them about twenty minutes to arrive. Fortunately other people then started to help, and between us all, we'd got most of the fire out before the fire brigade arrived. They then got it completely out, and sprayed the whole area for about an hour, including gardens above, below, and to each side!
It was started by just a spark from a strimmer, being used by the council workman, to clear the bank of grass and weeds! At the council meeting just the day before, the Mairie had been requesting volunteers to help with the strimming as this year has been exceptionally dry and more areas need clearing. Lots of people had volunteered to start work on various parts around the village next week.
Scary stuff and just shows how quickly fires can spread!!
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Another eventful day - with a fire in the forests in the hills immediately behind our house (within about a kilometre), and Canadairs flying directly over the roof terrace.
Forest Fire in the Hautes Corbieres
At 8.00 pm the fire was spreading towards the village and we were instructed to pack ready for possible evacuation - passports, papers, and anything important, plus wear some strong shoes, and pack some food and water! Fortunately about an hour later the fire was under control thanks to the Canadairs dropping water, and another large plane dropping fire retardant! Scary stuff - and again today the village smells of smoke!
So wherever in Europe you're going, you can now see why barbecues are banned in some areas - as fires in dry hot countries spread very very quickly.
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ValDa I missed your post yesterday. Goes to show how easily these things can start and that swift response is important. As good as any first responders are it takes time to reach the emergency. Very scary.
As for your next near miss, OMG really really scary. How do you decide what to pack? Certainly focuses the mind. The only things in life that are really important are ourselves and our families - life itself.
Fingers crossed that you've had your share of drama for a while. Stay safe.
I never understand why people moan about bbq, fire/smoking bans, they are there for a reason. Better safe than sorry.
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Many areas of Spain & France ban open B.B.Qs from early spring ,due to the potential fire risks.I did a magazine report for "Market Place" in Spain when we lived there Front cover was the "Canadaires" dropping water ,while the center page spread showed just what you have seen Val.People fighting the spread of fire with buckets of water,Planes & helicopters ,which drop bags into peoples swimming pools to collect any amount they can.The planes swoop low over the nearest sea to scoop up sea water for dropping .We had a VERY near miss at Jalon ,when the whole hillside on fire stopped two hundred yards from our Casita. All VERY scary stuff.We've seen whole urbanisations burnt out !! Too many of the fires are as a result of live fag ends thrown from cars !! HORRENDOUS !!
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Very nasty for you ValDa, hope things get back under control quickly. All the best!
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Hi, we will be touring France from around 22nd August and will be coming down the west coast for a bit (ile de re and Gironde, hopefully) before arriving at Domain de Soleil nr Sarlat from 13th September for a week.
we will then be moving south east heading for (amongst other places) Selection Camping, so will be keeping an eye on developments there.
obviously, there are plenty of options in that area but we happen to like LaCroix Valmer and the immediate area a lot.
Val, thanks for the update
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cheers, thank you.
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Hope you and your family are ok. Take care and stay safe.
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