OMM Redaksiyası
A wildfire near Perpignan in southern France had burned about 35 hectares of vegetation by Monday afternoon, with around 180 firefighters deployed to fight the blaze, broadcaster France 3 reported.
The fire broke out early Monday afternoon south of Perpignan, in the Pyrenees-Orientales department near the border with Spain. It was reported close to the Agulla de Font Coberta waterway and the Mas Palegry area.
Firefighting operation under way
Firefighters from the Pyrenees-Orientales departmental fire and rescue service sent 50 vehicles to the scene. A Dash firefighting aircraft and two water-bombing helicopters also took part in efforts to contain the flames.
The situation was described as “non-stabilized” at about 2:30 p.m. local time, or 1230 GMT.
Highest wildfire alert issued
The fire came as the Pyrenees-Orientales, Gard and Aude departments were placed under France’s highest level of wildfire alert on Monday.
Wildfires have burned about 5,000 hectares in the Pyrenees-Orientales so far this year. Much of the damage was caused by a fire in Trevillach on July 4.
