Wildfire near Carcassonne contained after burning 100 hectares, 150 evacuated

How the fire started

The fire began shortly after 16:00 on Sunday 2 August when a vehicle caught fire on the A61 motorway near Palaja, just outside Carcassonne. Flames jumped from the car to dry vegetation and, fanned by unfavourable wind conditions, spread rapidly across the hilly terrain. Within three hours the blaze had covered between 50 and 100 hectares, according to firefighters. The prefect of Aude posted on Facebook at around 17:00 that the fire was evolving quickly due to adverse weather. The A61, a major route linking Toulouse and Narbonne, was closed in both directions between exits 23 (Carcassonne-Ouest) and 24 (Carcassonne-Est). The fire jumped the motorway and climbed onto elevated ground, making access difficult for ground crews.

Firefighting response

Authorities threw what they called a substantial response at the fire. A total of 280 firefighters and 60 intervention trucks were deployed, supported by three Canadair water bombers, two Dash aircraft, two water-bombing helicopters and four Air Tractor planes. Christophe Magny, director of the Aude fire and rescue service (Sdis 11), told Franceinfo that the fire had been particularly complex because of the terrain. Despite the challenges, the rapid aerial and ground assault prevented the flames from reaching many homes in the communes of Carcassonne, Cazilhac and Palaja. A spokesperson for Sdis 11 later confirmed that the deployment had preserved numerous dwellings.

“The fire is contained and under control. Around 100 hectares were covered by the flames, of which 50 hectares burned.”

Evacuations and threatened areas

As the fire advanced, it threatened a residential neighbourhood and a military training ground. The prefecture ordered the evacuation of the Australian Park, a wildlife theme park, and later evacuated about 150 people from the commune of Cazilhac as a precaution, on the instruction of its mayor. Motorists parked in the rest areas of Auriac and Belvédère were also moved to safety. Animals from a nearby animal park were sheltered. Emmanuelle Plantier-Lemarchand, secretary general of the prefecture, said from the operational command post that the fire was contained thanks to the substantial resources deployed.

“At the moment I am speaking to you, the fire is contained thanks to the substantial resources that have been engaged.”

Containment and next steps

By early evening the fire was no longer progressing. A spokesperson for Sdis 11 announced shortly after 21:00 that the fire was fixed. Firefighters continued damping-down operations through the night, and a large surveillance detail remained in place. The wind on site remained sensitive, the fire service warned. Transport minister Philippe Tabarot urged drivers to avoid the area to ensure safety and facilitate emergency work. The A61 remained closed in both directions as of Sunday night.

“Avoid the area to guarantee your safety and facilitate the intervention of the emergency services.”