Flights scheduled at Marseille Airport have been suspended due to a wildfire raging close to the southern French port city, local authorities said on Tuesday, July 8.
The prefecture urged people in the affected areas to stay indoors and off the roads. With the fire approaching Marseille, the prefecture also advised residents in the northern area of the city to remain inside with doors and windows closed to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes.
Some 168 firefighters, two helicopters and 68 engines were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out in the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, with 30 hectares hit. There have been no reports of casualties.
Marseille airport announced that the runway had been closed at around midday. The air hub’s website showed several afternoon departures, including to Brussels, Munich and Naples, had been canceled. The airport for France’s second-largest city sits in the town of Marignane, just north of the city.
Several weeks of heatwaves combined with strong winds have increased the risk of wildfires in southern France, with several breaking out over the past couple of days.
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