One of France’s oldest and ‘plus beaux’ hilltop villages evacuated due to wildfire
Roads were closed off as 800 firefighters fought to control the blaze in southern France. Around 400 hectares of forest have been destroyed
Up to 500 firefighters remain at the scene of the blaze near Castelnou, which is regularly counted among the most beautiful in France
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An ancient hilltop village classed as one of France ‘plus beaux’ (most beautiful) had to be partially evacuated on Thursday (September 12) after a wildfire broke out nearby, destroying 400 hectares of forest.
Up to 800 firefighters were required to bring the fire under control near the picturesque village of Castelnou, Pyrénées-Orientales.
“Within minutes” of the fire breaking out at around 15:00 on Thursday, 300 firefighters were at the scene local media reports.
However, a 70km/h north-westerly tramontane wind made it spread quickly through the heavily wooded area, which has been experiencing a three-year-long drought.
Caretaker Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin committed state support and resources from other regions to fight what he described as a “virulent fire”.
Around 80 of the village’s 286 inhabitants were evacuated and taken to a community centre in a nearby village.
The prefecture also ordered the closure of the RD46 and RD2 roads and advised locals to avoid the area.
By Friday September 13, 800 firefighters and a total of nine aircraft, including two Dash planes, three water bombing helicopters and four Canadair water bombers had been called.
Five firefighters reportedly suffered minor injuries.
However, the effort succeeded in stopping the spread of the fire at around midnight despite the “extreme conditions”.
“We are going to maintain our watch throughout the morning to drench the fire, and we hope to have control over it by this afternoon,” local fire chief Eric Belgoïno told FranceBleu.
No damage has been reported to the historic village, which is regularly counted among the most beautiful in France.
However, Mr Belgoïno warned that the event should not be considered an isolated occurrence.
“The drought has resulted in a very significant decline in vegetation in Pyrénées-Orientales. In some places, particularly in the Aspres area, more than 50% of the vegetation has dried out. This means that we are now facing virulent, explosive fires”
Up to 350 firefighters remained at the scene on Friday afternoon, including reinforcements from Aude, Montpellier, Nîmes, Marseille, Bordeaux, Drôme and Ardèche.
"The weather conditions are just as worrying as they were yesterday," added Mr Belgoïno, whose team are tasked with preventing the smouldering fire from spreading to the surrounding land in the 60km/h wind.
10th-Century village in danger
The ancient hilltop village of Castlnou (or Castellnou dels Aspres in Catalan) is considered as not only one of France’s prettiest villages but also one of its oldest.
However, its increasing dry climate means that the village only survives thanks to tourism.
The surrounding garrigue and Aspres forest see little rain, leaving only almonds and apricots fit for cultivation.
The last time fire struck the village was in 1981, which destroyed the village’s castle. The castle reopened to the public ten years later.
