300 hectares burned, 600 firefighters mobilized… the biggest fire of the summer ravaged the Gardiole massif

The massif was ravaged in a few hours from Gigean to Frontignan. The fire remained under high surveillance this Sunday, August 18, during the night.

It finally happened. The first major fire of the summer in Hérault set the Gardiole massif ablaze between Gigean and Frontignan, this Sunday, August 18. More than 300 hectares burned, while a large firefighter force fought the flames until the end of the day.

Origin of the fire unknown

The fire broke out shortly after 3pm in Issanka, near Gigean. The origin is not yet known, but a criminal lead cannot be ruled out; the fire started at the side of the road, about 150 metres from the A9 motorway, in a place where there is tall vegetation and pine forest.

The alarm was quickly raised and a first column of firefighters from the Sdis rushed to the scene. On the A9, traffic was slow, especially in the Béziers-Montpellier direction. Around 5 p.m., fanned by gusts of 50 km/h coming from the northwest, the flames had already ravaged 20 hectares of Gardiole and were approaching Frontignan. About ten residents of Gigean had left their homes as a precaution. As for the response plan, there were 150 firefighters and five Canadairs involved.

600 firefighters mobilized last night

The latter continued to grow as the fire spread. Early in the evening, the flames were knocking on the doors of Frontignan, after consuming 300 hectares of vegetation.

The moment chosen by the mayor of the Muscat city, Michel Arrouy, to trigger the municipal safeguard plan. To the north of the city, several areas have been evacuated as a precaution, in order to limit the risk to the people of Frontignan as much as possible. “A few homes are impacted”, although there are “no injuries”, the prefecture said at around 7:30 p.m.

An hour later, 600 firefighters from Hérault, but also from Bouches-du-Rhône, with more than 200 vehicles were still fighting against the spread of the fire. Canadairs, firefighting bombers and helicopters continued their airdrops. More than 150 in a few hours!

Gérald Darmanin expected to assess the damage

Thanks to these significant efforts, the main front of the fire was finally contained by mid-evening. Among the people who had to leave their homes, at least nineteen of them were initially supposed to spend the night at the Henri-Ferrari sports hall. Finally, they were able to return home safely around 10 p.m.

The fight against the fire is set to continue throughout the night with 600 firefighters still mobilized. This Monday, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected to assess the damage.

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