Fire in Upper-Corsica: at least 1,785 hectares scanned, inhabitants evacuated or confined
Fire in Upper-Corsica: at least 1,785 hectares scanned, inhabitants evacuated or confined
04 January 2018
Published by https://www.francetvinfo.fr/
FRANCE- Three people were injured and seven houses were completely destroyed by the flames. Thursday, January 4 in the morning, the fires in Upper Corsica are still not circumscribed, but the wind is decreasing in intensity.
The fires in Upper Corsica have covered at least 1,785 hectares on Thursday, January 4 in the morning, reports France Blue RCFM, consequences of the strong winds of the storm Eleanor. These fires are also “not yet circumscribed,” says franceinfo Fabien Martorana, secretary general of the prefecture of Haute-Corse.
But “the wind is decreasing in intensity and we expect less and less bursts”, adds Fabien Martorana. Three Canadair were able to intervene in the middle of the morning.
Resumption of air and sea traffic
The first fire, near the villages of Cervione and Saint-André-de-Cotone, left Tuesday morning, is stabilized, according to the prefecture of Haute-Corse. 1,000 hectares were covered, a sheepfold was burned, as well as two cabins and a restaurant adjoining a chapel.
A second fire near the village of Chiatra continues to progress. 650 hectares have gone up in smoke since Wednesday night. Seven houses were totally destroyed. Three people were slightly injured, and one of them even had to be hospitalized. The emergency services have also made Wednesday several dozens of evacuations. About forty inhabitants were thus lodged in the village hall of San Giuliano. Finally, three herds of goats, about 300 heads, were decimated.
Air traffic was able to resume Thursday morning. The airports of Bastia, Figari and Calvi have reopened, as has the port of Bastia. Maritime transport between Marseille and Île-Rousse is again assured.
384 relief workers have been on site since Thursday morning, including firefighters, gendarmes and civil security. About fifty soldiers from Brignoles (Var) are also expected on site as reinforcement.
