Pas-de-Calais: Coastal dune fires force evacuation of a campsite housing up to 2,000 people
A campsite accommodating between 1,000 and 2,000 people was evacuated Wednesday afternoon in Camiers, in the Pas-de-Calais department, after several fires broke out in the coastal dunes.
Firefighters confirmed that the flames were burning close to the campsite, prompting authorities and campsite management to move holidaymakers away from the threatened area.
The evacuation was carried out as a precaution while emergency services worked to contain the fires and prevent them from reaching the campsite.
Warning issued to holidaymakers
The campsite itself alerted guests shortly after 4 p.m., posting a warning on its Facebook page that a fire was underway nearby and asking people to evacuate.
The site has 371 pitches, according to information published on its website, meaning a large number of holidaymakers were potentially exposed to the immediate risk posed by the fires.
The number of people present was estimated by firefighters at between 1,000 and 2,000, underlining the scale of the evacuation operation.
Several fires reported in the dunes
The incident involved several separate fire outbreaks in the dunes along the Pas-de-Calais coastline.
Coastal dune environments can allow flames to spread quickly through dry vegetation, particularly during periods of warm and windy weather. Their proximity to tourist accommodation can also make even relatively limited fires a significant threat.
Emergency crews were deployed to tackle the flames and secure the area around the campsite.
Authorities focused on preventing the fire from reaching the campsite
The priority for emergency services was to prevent the fire from advancing toward the densely occupied holiday site while evacuating visitors from potential danger.
No information was immediately provided about injuries or the extent of property damage.
The incident nonetheless highlights the vulnerability of heavily visited coastal areas during periods of heightened fire risk. With thousands of people potentially present in the surrounding area, authorities opted for evacuation rather than waiting for the flames to approach the campsite.
The situation remained under close observation Wednesday afternoon as firefighters continued operations in the dunes.
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