Fire in the Var: one dead, the motorway cut off … The fire still uncontrollable – Linternaute.com

This Wednesday, the fire continues to progress because of unfavorable weather while two deaths are to be deplored according to the prefect of Var.

This Wednesday, August 18, three days after the start of the fire, the fire is still not under control according to the firefighters and the prefecture of Var. For the mayor of La Garde-Freinet, the fire is even “very far” from being extinguished and he fears seeing his village hit by flames. To fight against the biggest fire of the summer in the region, 70 firefighters have arrived to reinforce the Drôme and Ardèche while the Bouches-du-Rhône, a neighboring department has also positioned 70 of its firefighters and is ready to add reinforcement because the mistral draws the flames towards the area. “The drought, the wind which changes direction and forces us to reorient the device, and the relief with slopes, valleys and therefore certain extremely complicated areas of access, and finally extremely dispersed dwellings” explained the prefect of Var . In a press point, Gabriel Attal explained that the “general mobilization was sounded”. “The whole country is united today since resources coming from all over the country are being mobilized today on the Gonfaron fire”.

If several firefighters were injured and residents were slightly intoxicated, the Draguignan prosecutor’s office also opened an investigation to identify the body found in La Vanade, in the town of Grimaud. The body, completely charred, was found by a neighbor on Tuesday. The prefect of Var also announced at a press conference that another body has been found.

In addition, the prefecture has decided to close the motorway because of the strong mistral blowing. “The A57 motorway is being closed in both directions of traffic between exit 10 at Cuers and exit 13 at Cannet des Maures. The bypass is on the RD43 towards Brignoles” details the prefecture which adds that while waiting for the closure, the speed is reduced to 70km / h. Finally, the speed is also reduced to 70 km / h on the A8 motorway in the affected area. “

Images of fire in the Var

For the time being, the origin of the fire has not been identified and all the leads are being studied even if the president of SDIS 83 suspects a “human error” on the BFM TV antenna. “As always, for me, a human error is at the origin of this fire since it started near the Sigues rest area on the highway”