Thanks to the hard work of firefighters throughout the afternoon of Sunday, August 18, and their vigilance during the night, the fire was stopped at the gates of the city.
350 hectares of scrubland were ravaged by flames between Gigean and Frontignan la Peyrade. No injuries have been reported despite one home being destroyed. The fire seems contained, but firefighters remain on high alert to prevent flare-ups.
Fire outbreak in Gigean, on the edge of the A9 highway
Shortly after 3 PM on Sunday, August 18, 2024, a fire broke out in Gigean, in the Issanka area, 150 meters from the A9 highway. The highly flammable scrubland and pine forest, combined with strong winds, carried the flames through the Gardiole massif, reaching the northern part of Frontignan la Peyrade. Ashes swirled, and a thick reddish smoke spread over the city. Five fire-fighting planes and 150 firefighters battled the blaze. However, the flames progressed, and by the afternoon, a total of 600 firefighters (including 80 firefighters and 80 marine firefighters from Marseille) and over 200 vehicles were mobilized. In addition, four Dash aircraft, two Beech planes, a Dragon helicopter, and a water-bombing helicopter carried out more than 150 drops according to the prefecture.
Emergency Plan
In coordination with the prefect, the mayor of Frontignan la Peyrade, Michel Arrouy, activated the Communal Safeguard Plan (PCS) late in the afternoon, an exceptional device for major civil security events that organizes and coordinates with all stakeholders (State, firefighters, police, etc.) the means, alert systems, and information to be implemented to ensure the safety of the municipality’s inhabitants. As such, many people living in isolated cabins, in the Roitelets residence, in the Lacoste and Hauts de Frontignan districts, or near the Nikola-Karabatic sports hall, were evacuated. The Henri-Ferrari gym, located on chemin de la Calade, was opened to accommodate nineteen people who could not find shelter with relatives. Shortly after 8 PM, the firefighters managed to contain the fire along the residences. 300 firefighters were deployed overnight to address hot spots around the fire area and monitor potential flare-ups.
Around 10 PM, the positive evolution of the situation allowed residents to safely return to their homes.
The mayor, Michel Arrouy, also spoke early in the evening: “The environmental damage is immense, even if no casualties are to be reported and only one house has been burned. My utmost respect and thanks to the nearly 600 firefighters and law enforcement who worked throughout the afternoon and will continue to be vigilant all night.
Thank you to Mr. Prefect and General Florès for commanding the operations and their professionalism, as well as to our deputy Sylvain Carrière, the elected officials of the city, and all our administration for their help and dedication, who will continue to stand by me all night.”
The Assessment
Access to the Gardiole is prohibited for safety reasons to allow firefighters to operate efficiently.
The municipality asks residents not to approach the area to allow security operations to proceed under the best possible conditions.
As a reminder, the road to Balaruc, the road to the Thermal Baths, the path of the Vines, and the path of the Coste, as well as all roads leading to the Gardiole massif are currently closed to traffic.
Aerial reconnaissance reports that 350 hectares have been destroyed by the flames.
“The preliminary assessment indicates that there are no injuries. An unoccupied dwelling was destroyed along with several cabins. Around fifty homes were protected,” announced the Hérault prefecture shortly before midnight.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and arson is not ruled out at this time.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected on-site around midday.