The authorities have deployed ten fire-fighting aircraft in the area. The number of firefighters fighting the fire will be expanded to 950 on Friday and the number of fire trucks will increase to 140.
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Fires have also broken out in other places in the south of the country after a prolonged drought. On the outskirts of the city of Arles, 120 firefighters with fire-fighting planes and a helicopter are at work. Eight residential buildings have been destroyed by the flames, businesses and vehicles from various car dealers have also been reduced to ashes, a regional newspaper reported. The fire is fueled by the so-called mistral, a strong wind that often rises in the Rhone valley.
Due to the early and prolonged drought this year, nature in the south of France is just as dry at the beginning of July as it normally is at the beginning of August.