Weather and drought ...

[catalanglais]

Autoroute is now open. The fire has moved inland.

Here is a great map showing the extent of the fire and which roads are open and closed.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=21 ... 9c70&msa=0

We are inhaling the smoke now, it is all drifting back into France. Apparently, a small fire broke out at Le Boulou this evening but was quickly extinguished.

[catalanglais]

All roads in France and the main roads through Spain appear to be open today.

The fire is not completely under control but has not expanded overnight. The perimeter of the fire is between 65 and 70 kms!!!! It is now more to the west of the motorway, around the Darnius and west of Figueras areas. There is a smoky haze in the air this morning, but nothing like last night. There is, however, clear signs of smoke in the Haut Vallespir direction St Laurent de Cerdans / Prats de Mollo although I am sure that this is just the smoke being blown along the Tapis Maçanet valley from Darnius.

From the photos, it is clear that it is almost impossible to imagine the sheer scale of the devastation.

This is a pretty good news item from Sky.


http://news.sky.com/story/963887/raging ... our-people

[catalanglais]

MISE A JOUR A 16 H 20.

Le ministe de l'Intérieur de la Generalitat de Catalunya, Felip Puig qui s'est rendu sur le terrain, a fait un nouveau point de la situation ce mardi après-midi, retenant trois zone toujours fortement embrasées. La première va du secteur sud de Boadella à Terrades, la deuxième de la zone nord de Darnius à Agunalla et la troisième concerne le territoire de Cantallops jusq'aux portes du Perthus, cettte dernière partie étant la plus "contenue" grâce à l'aide des sapeurs-pompiers français.

Le dispositif compte maintenant 500 pompiers catalans, 400 pompiers français, 200 militaires de l'Unité d'intervention d'urgence, 12 pompiers andorrans, 200 Mossos d'esquadra, 20 agents forestiers et une trentaine d'avions porteurs et bombardiers d'eau.

Selon Felip Puig, l'incendie devrait impérativement être maîtrisé avant la nuit car demain mercredi, la météo prévoit le retour d'un vent sec et violent par endroit. Taken from l'Independent.

It would seem that the fire is building up again as the wind has now increased, smoke is more plainly visible and the Canadairs are starting to move again; the smell of burning has also come back.

Those poor people and animals. Those poor rescue personnel. God help them all.

[catalanglais]

Some great photos of the Canadairs taking on water near Argeles.

http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/07/24/l ... 154631.php

[graham34]

Interesting that last spring/summer our commune had at least two fires, thankfully quickly dealt with. There was also a large fire across the (Herault) valley - not so unusual as there is much more scrub land (garrigue would the posh term) in the area.

Over the winter there has clearly been a massive effort to clear or thin the undergrowth in ditches, edges of fields etc. everywhere. The road and chimin sides are being kept well cut as well.

[catalanglais]

It would seem that the Catalan authorities are not so strict as their French neighbours when it come to imposing the rules about strimming around one's property etc.

The fire appears to be under control this morning - except for one small area which is inaccessible so will be bombarded by Canadair in an attempt to completely extinguish it before the promised Tram arrives.

Here is an account of the disaster from some French fire personnel :

http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/07/25/l ... 154824.php

A super album of photos from a local journalist :

http://www.naciodigital.cat/galeria/136 ... s/jonquera

And here is an excellent video if you have a couple of minutes to spare :

http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/07/24/l ... 154635.php

[peter]

Major fires in the Aude destroy 60 hectares of forest : http://www.midilibre.fr/2012/08/09/un-i ... 546253.php

[peter]

Many water restrictions have been renewed for another month although some have been lifted.

Gard : http://www.gard.equipement.gouv.fr/sech ... a1316.html

Herault : http://www.herault.equipement.gouv.fr/s ... a2104.html

Aude : http://www.aude.gouv.fr/spip.php?page=r ... chhaut.y=7

P-O : http://www.pyrenees-orientales.pref.gou ... %29/fre-FR

[catalanglais]

This article appeared today in L'Indep concerning the drought situation and restrictions in the PO.

http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/08/15/d ... 158771.php

No rain - and extreme temps - seem to be forecast for at least the next ten days!

[alex hampshire]

I love the picture of three people being involved in measuring what's not there. One to 'measure' and two bored onlookers to check that she's doing a good job, or something.

[catalanglais]

- I hadn't spotted that.

An important point for those readers in the PO.

It has been noted elsewhere in forumworld that "Vegetable gardens may not be watered in between 8h and 18h". In fact the Arrêté states ‎"Interdiction d’arrosage des jardins potagers entre 8 heures et 20 heures."

[catalanglais]

There appears to be a fire between Tressere and the new Boulou bypass down here in the PO. Fortunately, there doesn't appear to be too much of a breeze but what there is seems to be blowing inland slightly.

[catalanglais]

It is forbidden for all motorised vehicles to travel along the tracks of Cerdagne due to the high fire risk.

http://www.lindependant.fr/2012/08/22/n ... 160089.php

[Sandra]

sick of working in this heat, my arms stick to the desk ! i have a fan but no airconditioning and there are no rules about it being to hot to work, think I may campaign for a rule.

[catalanglais]

I'll join your campaign! I'm in the same situation!

[alex hampshire]

Just remember what happened to the Tolpuddle Martyrs.

[peter]

Orange weather alert for Herault, Aude and northern departments : http://france.meteofrance.com/vigilance ... ONE=DEPT34

Risk of heavy snow between now and midnight.

[peter]

There has been consistent rain over the last 48 hrs, apparently heavier in 66 & 11 than 30 & 34 resulting in flood warnings.

Currently the Agly has red warnings and has flooded. There are orange alerts for Aude, Berre and Orbieu. The Tech & Tet reached flood levels and the waters are now reducing. Check your area here : http://www.vigicrues.ecologie.gouv.fr/index.php

Rivesaltes has been badly hit : http://www.vigicrues.ecologie.gouv.fr/n ... tation=161

66 has a red meteo alert and Aude Orange : http://france.meteofrance.com/vigilance/Accueil

[peter]

More strong winds and bad weather forecast for P-O and Aude : http://www.midilibre.fr/2013/03/13/aler ... 658944.php



http://france.meteofrance.com/vigilance ... ONE=DEPT11