Several fires burned through approximately 180 hectares of vegetation on Wednesday, August 12, between Dannes, Camiers, and Neufchâtel-Hardelot, on the Pas-de-Calais coast. The flames' advance through the dunes and wooded areas led to the precautionary evacuation of a campsite and the closure of several access roads to the area.
Approximately 1,200 holidaymakers had to leave the Camping de la Mer campsite in Camiers, which has 371 pitches. Initial estimates from emergency services suggested that between 1,000 and 2,000 people were present. Shortly after 4 p.m., the campsite management asked all occupants to evacuate due to the immediate proximity of the fire.
Several fires broke out in the dunes
The first fires were reported in the dunes of Dannes and around Mont Saint-Frieux, a wooded natural area located between Dannes and Neufchâtel-Hardelot. Fueled by the dry vegetation, the flames spread rapidly in an area difficult for emergency vehicles to access.
The D940 departmental road, a major coastal route, was closed to facilitate the fire department's intervention and protect motorists. Authorities also prohibited access to the affected forests and dune areas. In Camiers, some residents were advised to remain indoors while campers were directed to a secure area.
A house destroyed by fire
One house was destroyed in the fire. Several other buildings were threatened, but no deaths or serious injuries were reported in the latest available figures. The firefighting operations mobilized significant ground resources to protect homes, contain the various fire fronts, and prevent the fire from spreading to urban areas.
Around a hundred firefighters remained on site Wednesday evening to monitor the fire's edges, extinguish flare-ups, and secure areas affected by the flames. Even after the main fires were brought under control, the risk of reignition remained high due to the dry soil and the presence of hotspots in the dunes.
The origin of the fires remains to be determined
The multiple fires that broke out in a relatively small area will need to be examined by investigators. No official cause had been released, and it was not yet established whether the different fires were related, accidental, or deliberate.
The return of the campers depended on how the situation developed and the securing of access routes. Authorities also had to assess the ecological consequences of the disaster in the Mont Saint-Frieux massif, a sensitive natural area where the destruction of 180 hectares represents major damage to local vegetation and wildlife.
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