Martigues fire “contained”, 350 firefighters still involved
According to the latest report, a total of 248 hectares were affected by the fire that broke out Thursday in Martigues, in the south of France. "Never before has a fire mobilized so many resources" this year in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, the prefecture emphasized.
By The New Obs with AFP
A helicopter flies over a forest fire in Martigues, France, on July 17, 2025. AP/SIPA
The fire that has devoured nearly 250 hectares of pine forest since Thursday in Martigues , northwest of Marseille, is now contained, despite a reactivation this Friday, July 18, in the afternoon, and 350 firefighters still deployed, with significant aerial resources.
The fire is "contained" but it is not yet circumscribed or fixed, the prefecture explained early in the evening, in its latest situation update, specifying that the "reactivation" of the fire in the afternoon claimed eight more hectares, bringing the total area affected to 248 hectares according to the latest situation update.
More than 350 firefighters remain engaged in this blaze, which at its peak mobilized more than 1,000 firefighters. Supported by 130 ground vehicles, they are also supported by significant air resources, including four Canadair aircraft, a water-bombing helicopter, and a Dash aircraft to drop retardant.
Lifting of the lockdownOn Thursday, before nightfall, up to nine aircraft (seven Canadairs and two Dashes) and two water-bombing helicopters were deployed to fight the flames. "Never before has a fire mobilized so many resources" this year in the department, Bruno Cassette, the sub-prefect of the Aix-en-Provence district, emphasized at the time.
On Thursday evening, food trucks spontaneously arrived at the command post to supply emergency services. The town of Martigues actively sought them out on Facebook on Friday to thank them. As for the death toll, there were no casualties among the population on Friday evening, with the only three firefighters suffering minor injuries.
Bruno Cassette announced early Friday morning the lifting of the lockdown imposed on residents of the area, particularly those living in two hamlets in the commune, Saint-Julien and Les Ventrons.
“A high-risk summer”As for the material damage, particularly to homes, it is "very reassuring" , insisted the sub-prefect on Friday morning, "only one outbuilding of a house was damaged, as well as a farm" , while 120 in total were "threatened" .
Also read
Interview: “These fires are no longer anomalies: they are the visible symptoms of ongoing global warming.”
"We're reliving the ordeal of August 4, 2020," lamented one resident, Sophie, on the town hall's Facebook page. On that day, five years ago, the town of Martigues was hit by a violent fire that covered 1,000 hectares and completely destroyed two holiday villages. Evacuations were then carried out by sea.
This new fire is the second major one in a few days around Marseille, after the fire of July 8, which started from a burning car on the side of the highway , and covered 750 hectares between Pennes-Mirabeau and Marseille. It affected 91 buildings, 60 of which were destroyed or are now uninhabitable, mainly in the Marseille district of L'Estaque.
Arriving on the scene the same day, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned that, in the face of these very early fires, we were heading "towards a high-risk summer." Under the influence of climate change, these extreme weather events are expected to increase in frequency, scientists warn.
Also read
Fire Decryption : “Controlled”, “Fixed”, “Drowned” Fire… What Are We Talking About?
