Bordering Spain, the Pyrénées-Orientales region has been hit harder than any other French region by a devastating drought.
A forest fire in the city of Perpignan, capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, forced the French authorities to evacuate more than 3,000 people from a camp area near the border with Spain. More than 450 firefighters were needed to control the more than 500 hectares that the flames covered.
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Likewise, more than thirty houses and a store were devastated by fires. The flames spread rapidly due to “extreme heat, drought and strong winds,” rescue services explained.
It was learned that during the operations, 17 firefighters suffered minor injuries and one had to be hospitalized due to a fall. None were seriously injured.
The closure of several highways was ordered and the train service from Perpignan to Spain was suspended for several hours. The Pyrénées-Orientales region has been hit harder than any other French region by the devastating drought.
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