Fire spreads across 105 hectares in the heights of France’s Aspe Valley

A vegetation fire in the heights of France’s Aspe Valley has spread across 105 hectares, forcing authorities to use a tactical fire to deprive the flames of fuel.

The blaze began on September 2 in the Pas d’Ourtasse area between Etsaut and Cette-Eygun, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The rugged ridge zone is used by shepherds during summer grazing and by hikers.

Firefighters, including some transported by helicopter, and aerial resources initially slowed the fire’s progress on Saturday. The prefecture said conditions changed during the afternoon because of the wind. The area burned increased from 77 hectares at around 4 p.m. to 105 hectares by the evening.

Authorities ordered a tactical fire along the ridge overnight from Saturday into Sunday to remove combustible material and slow the flames. Nathalie Vitrat, the sub-prefect of Oloron-Sainte-Marie, described the terrain as particularly difficult. “It’s very steep, it’s not a plain fire, it’s a complicated, very unusual and uncontrolled fire,” she said.

The prefecture said it would maintain maximum mobilization on Sunday, with aircraft and firefighters again deployed. The town halls of Etsaut and Cette-Eygun also offered to arrange private helicopter deliveries of water to support the firefighters.

“

It’s very steep, it’s not a plain fire, it’s a complicated, very unusual and uncontrolled fire.