Marseille Battles Raging Wildfire on City Outskirts, Mayor Describes Fierce Fight

Marseille, France’s second-largest city, is currently facing a significant threat as a rapidly spreading wildfire encroaches upon its northern edges. The blaze, which ignited earlier on Tuesday near Pennes-Mirabeau, has already consumed an estimated 700 hectares (approximately 7 square kilometers) of land. The situation is so severe that Mayor Benoît Payan described the efforts of the marine firefighter battalion as “guerrilla warfare,” with crews on the ground fighting the flames hose in hand.

The Prefect of the Bouches-du-Rhône region, Georges-François Leclerc, has urged residents to remain indoors and has emphasized that firefighters are actively “defending” the city. While acknowledging the dynamic nature of the situation, he stated that it is currently “under control.” As a precautionary measure, Marseille Provence airport has suspended all operations for the remainder of Tuesday. Local authorities have advised residents in affected areas to stay inside, close shutters and doors, and ensure that roads remain clear for emergency services.

The fire is believed to have been sparked by a vehicle fire on the motorway. Compounding the challenge, strong winds are expected to persist until late this evening, fanning the flames and potentially aiding their spread. The severity of the situation was underscored by a local resident, Monique Baillard, who described the scene as “very striking – apocalyptic even,” noting that many of her neighbors had already evacuated.

A total of 168 firefighters, supported by numerous fire engines and helicopters, have been deployed to combat the blaze. Mayor Payan has implored residents to exercise extreme caution and limit non-essential travel. Reports from French television indicate significant traffic congestion as individuals attempt to leave the city amidst the unfolding crisis. Online footage vividly depicts immense plumes of smoke rising above Marseille, with the fire raging in the hilly terrain to the north.

The region has experienced an extended dry spell, with no rainfall recorded since May 19, according to French broadcaster BFMTV, exacerbating the wildfire risk. This incident in Marseille is part of a broader pattern of severe weather events across Europe. In Narbonne, another wildfire that began on Monday continues to burn, fueled by winds of up to 60 km/h (38 mph), having already consumed an estimated 2,000 hectares. Similarly, Spain’s Catalonia region is grappling with a wildfire that has led to over 18,000 people being ordered to stay home. This fire, fanned by strong overnight winds, has spread across nearly 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres). Spain, which recently recorded its hottest June on record, has placed several areas on high alert for wildfires. Meanwhile, Greece reported 41 wildfires on Monday, with 34 quickly contained and seven remaining active. These events are occurring against the backdrop of a scorching early summer heatwave affecting much of western and southern Europe, leading to significant evacuations in affected areas.