MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport on Tuesday, a spokesperson said, affecting travel just as the French summer vacation period begins.
The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille, France’s second-largest city. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used.
“At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas,” the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur prefecture posted on X. “Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads.”
The high winds prompted evacuations in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, BFM TV reported, citing interviews with locals in the town. The winds could be seen buffeting trees and on-air reporters.
The spokesperson for Marseille airport said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen.
The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city.
“The fire is spreading,” the Marseille municipality said on X. “Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages.”
Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, on Monday was still active, fanned by winds of 60 kilometres per hour. At this time 2,000 hectares have burnt, the local prefecture said.
(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Dominique Vidalon; Writing by Gabriel Stargardter and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Richard Lough and Mark Porter)
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