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Free Malaysia Today
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Marseille airport closed as high winds fan wildfire
Planes have not been taking off or landing since around midday at Marseille Provence airport. (AFP pic) MARSEILLE : A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70kph, led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport today and was getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. 'It's very striking – apocalyptic even,' Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: 'We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate.' 'The smoke is very striking, very acrid,' said another resident, Jacqueline Revilla. 'We were ordered to stay confined via a message on our mobile phones. We're waiting for further updates for now.' Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. 'At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas,' the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. 'Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads.' The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. 'The fire is spreading,' the Marseille municipality said on X. 'Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages.' A spokesman at the mayor's office for the 15th and 16th boroughs of Marseille, which border the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, said the area on the outer limits of the city was increasingly threatened by the fire, and covered in thick smoke. The spokesman said they were awaiting instructions from firefighters on whether to begin evacuations, and said residents were very concerned. As the fire was spreading, residents of the 16th borough were also instructed by the prefecture to stay home, close doors and shutters and put damp cloths on any openings. A spokesman for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen. Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, yesterday was still active, fanned by winds of 60kph. Some 2,000 hectares have burnt, the local prefecture said. Wildfires were also raging in northeastern Spain, where large parts of the country were on high alert for fires. Last week there were fires on the Greek island of Crete and in Athens, as much of Europe sweltered in an early summer heatwave.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
France, Spain feel the heat as wildfires threaten homes
A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70km/h, has led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport and is getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." Across the border in Spain, authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control, consuming almost 3000 hectares of vegetation. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located. More than 300 firefighters are working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that the strong Mistral wind was expected to ease by the afternoon. Overnight, fire engines raced the winding roads of the Pauls Mountains, surrounded by flames, as crews assessed and tried to contain the blaze. In the neighbouring villages of Xerta and Aldover, residents spent a sleepless night as the flames threatened their homes. "(There has been) a lot of fear and a lot of crying because we are already on the edge of the fire. Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn't leave our house. Terrible, this has never been seen before," Rosa Veleda, 76, told Reuters. Authorities said they had prevented the fire from spreading across the Ebro River, which would have worsened the situation. Approximately 30 per cent of the affected area lies within the Ports Natural Park, and officials are investigating the fire's origins. The heatwave extends across the Mediterranean to Greece, where authorities shut down the Acropolis for several hours over the hottest time of the day as temperatures soared into the 40s. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists. A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70km/h, has led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport and is getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." Across the border in Spain, authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control, consuming almost 3000 hectares of vegetation. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located. More than 300 firefighters are working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that the strong Mistral wind was expected to ease by the afternoon. Overnight, fire engines raced the winding roads of the Pauls Mountains, surrounded by flames, as crews assessed and tried to contain the blaze. In the neighbouring villages of Xerta and Aldover, residents spent a sleepless night as the flames threatened their homes. "(There has been) a lot of fear and a lot of crying because we are already on the edge of the fire. Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn't leave our house. Terrible, this has never been seen before," Rosa Veleda, 76, told Reuters. Authorities said they had prevented the fire from spreading across the Ebro River, which would have worsened the situation. Approximately 30 per cent of the affected area lies within the Ports Natural Park, and officials are investigating the fire's origins. The heatwave extends across the Mediterranean to Greece, where authorities shut down the Acropolis for several hours over the hottest time of the day as temperatures soared into the 40s. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists. A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70km/h, has led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport and is getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." Across the border in Spain, authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control, consuming almost 3000 hectares of vegetation. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located. More than 300 firefighters are working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that the strong Mistral wind was expected to ease by the afternoon. Overnight, fire engines raced the winding roads of the Pauls Mountains, surrounded by flames, as crews assessed and tried to contain the blaze. In the neighbouring villages of Xerta and Aldover, residents spent a sleepless night as the flames threatened their homes. "(There has been) a lot of fear and a lot of crying because we are already on the edge of the fire. Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn't leave our house. Terrible, this has never been seen before," Rosa Veleda, 76, told Reuters. Authorities said they had prevented the fire from spreading across the Ebro River, which would have worsened the situation. Approximately 30 per cent of the affected area lies within the Ports Natural Park, and officials are investigating the fire's origins. The heatwave extends across the Mediterranean to Greece, where authorities shut down the Acropolis for several hours over the hottest time of the day as temperatures soared into the 40s. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists. A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70km/h, has led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport and is getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." Across the border in Spain, authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control, consuming almost 3000 hectares of vegetation. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located. More than 300 firefighters are working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that the strong Mistral wind was expected to ease by the afternoon. Overnight, fire engines raced the winding roads of the Pauls Mountains, surrounded by flames, as crews assessed and tried to contain the blaze. In the neighbouring villages of Xerta and Aldover, residents spent a sleepless night as the flames threatened their homes. "(There has been) a lot of fear and a lot of crying because we are already on the edge of the fire. Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn't leave our house. Terrible, this has never been seen before," Rosa Veleda, 76, told Reuters. Authorities said they had prevented the fire from spreading across the Ebro River, which would have worsened the situation. Approximately 30 per cent of the affected area lies within the Ports Natural Park, and officials are investigating the fire's origins. The heatwave extends across the Mediterranean to Greece, where authorities shut down the Acropolis for several hours over the hottest time of the day as temperatures soared into the 40s. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.
Metro
08-07-2025
- Metro
Marseille Airport is closed with all flights cancelled
Marseille Airport has been closed with all flights cancelled after a raging wildfire reached the edge of France's second largest city. Flames licked the outskirts of Marseille on Tuesday, with residents warned to stayed inside, close doors and keep roads clear for emergencies. The fast-moving fire, which broke out early on Tuesday north of the city, has been fanned by winds of up to 70km per hour, as firefighters across the Mediterranean battle blazes sparked by an intense heatwave. Locals have described the scene in southern France as 'apocalyptic'. Here's everything we know from a travel perspective so far. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Marseille's Provence Airport suspended all flights and announced the runway had been closed around 12pm Tuesday. Cancellations included Ryanair services to Tangier, Rabat, and Nantes, a British Airways flight to London Heathrow, a Transavia France flight to Brest, Brussels Airlines to Brussels, and an Iberia Airlines flight to Madrid. As of 5pm, the arrival index on FlightRadar24 is at 5 — the highest possible score for cancellation and disruption. Marseille is France's second largest regional airport, with almost 11 million passengers transiting there last year. The most popular routes from Marseille are to Charles de Gaulle in Paris, Algiers in Algeria, and Tunis in Tunisia. The website shows some flights have since managed to land, but delays are expected well into the evening. An official message on the airport's website says: 'Due to a fire at Pennes Mirabeau, landings and takeoffs are suspended until further notice. We advise you to contact your airline for more information.' It comes during peak travel season as the French summer holidays begin. A record-breaking heatwave that has swept southern Europe in recent weeks has raised the risk of wildfires in southern France, with several breaking out in the past few days. More Trending In Marseille, the city officials said some 72 firefighters were battling blazes with 220 emergency vehicles, backed by helicopters and water-bombing planes. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight a blaze of about 74 acres near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of the city. Michel Amiel, the town's mayor, said two housing estates had been evacuated. The fire could be seen in the sky over Marseille, with thick, black clouds overhead and an 'acrid' smell in the air, according to residents. MORE: How the €1 European house scheme actually works MORE: Man dead after he 'ran onto airport runway and was sucked into engine' MORE: Eurostar delays and 'café car raids': what to do if your cross-channel train is disrupted
West Australian
08-07-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
France, Spain feel the heat as wildfires threaten homes
A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70km/h, has led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport and is getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." Across the border in Spain, authorities ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control, consuming almost 3000 hectares of vegetation. Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record. Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located. More than 300 firefighters are working in the area. "Since midnight, firefighters have been battling the blaze with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour," Catalonia's regional firefighting service said, adding that the strong Mistral wind was expected to ease by the afternoon. Overnight, fire engines raced the winding roads of the Pauls Mountains, surrounded by flames, as crews assessed and tried to contain the blaze. In the neighbouring villages of Xerta and Aldover, residents spent a sleepless night as the flames threatened their homes. "(There has been) a lot of fear and a lot of crying because we are already on the edge of the fire. Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn't leave our house. Terrible, this has never been seen before," Rosa Veleda, 76, told Reuters. Authorities said they had prevented the fire from spreading across the Ebro River, which would have worsened the situation. Approximately 30 per cent of the affected area lies within the Ports Natural Park, and officials are investigating the fire's origins. The heatwave extends across the Mediterranean to Greece, where authorities shut down the Acropolis for several hours over the hottest time of the day as temperatures soared into the 40s. Last week, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in a severe heatwave that left eight dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Worldwide, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Greece, which sits on Europe's southernmost edge, also had its warmest winter and summer last year on record, incuding a 16-day heatwave in July, the longest ever, according to scientists.
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Marseille airport closed as high winds fan wildfire in southern France
MARSEILLE, France, July 8 (Reuters) - A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fanned by winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, led to the closure of Marseille Provence airport on Tuesday and was getting very close to France's second-largest city itself, officials said. The local fire service said on X that 168 firefighters had been deployed to fight the blaze of around 30 hectares near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Fire engines and helicopters were also being used. "It's very striking - apocalyptic even," Monique Baillard, a resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told Reuters. She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We're staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate." "The smoke is very striking, very acrid," said another resident, Jacqueline Revilla. "We were ordered to stay confined via a message on our mobile phones. We're waiting for further updates for now." Michel Amiel, the mayor of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated. "At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X. "Close shutters, doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads." The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident said, with smoke covering parts of the city. "The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality said on X. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages." A spokeswoman at the mayor's office for the 15th and 16th boroughs of Marseille, which border the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, said the area on the outer limits of the city was increasingly threatened by the fire, and covered in thick smoke. The spokeswoman said they were awaiting instructions from firefighters on whether to begin evacuations, and said residents were very concerned. As the fire was spreading, residents of the 16th borough were also instructed by the prefecture to stay home, close doors and shutters and put damp cloths on any openings. A spokesperson for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday and some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports. It was unclear when the airport would reopen. Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, on Monday was still active, fanned by winds of 60 kilometres per hour. Some 2,000 hectares have burnt, the local prefecture said. Wildfires were also raging in northeastern Spain, where large parts of the country were on high alert for fires. Last week there were fires on the Greek island of Crete and in Athens, as much of Europe sweltered in an early summer heatwave.
