The forest fire that broke out today near Marseille in southern France is spreading very rapidly and moving toward the city, due to winds blowing at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. Specifically, the rapidly spreading fire has reached the outskirts of Marseille, French radio and television network BFM reported today, citing a local official.
The municipality called on residents of the city’s 16th district to stay inside their homes and not to circulate on the streets, so as not to impede the passage of fire trucks and other emergency services vehicles.
Le feu de Marseille résumé en une seule image….
Le feu a atteint l’Estaque et poursuit sa course vers la mer à présent…
Plus de 350Ha ont brûlés au dernier pointage.
Image : Twitter pic.twitter.com/oWeGeWuMrq
— Paul Marquis (Expert Meteo) (@La_Meteo_du_13) July 8, 2025
It is worth noting that earlier, the city’s airport was closed.
According to the fire department, 168 firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze that started near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. Helicopters are also participating in the firefighting effort.
FRANCE: 🔥🚨 A fire in Pennes-Mirabeau forced the closure of Marseille Provence Airport shortly after noon today. Nearly 170 firefighters are battling the blaze, driven by strong winds. Residents in the area have been urged to stay indoorspic.twitter.com/HhmentCGNV
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 8, 2025
A resident of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, Monique Bayard, said that many of her neighbors have already left, although no evacuation order has been issued. “We will stay, unless the firefighters tell us to leave,” she added.
🔴🇫🇷 FLASH INFO – L’aéroport de Marseille et l’autoroute sont FERMÉS alors qu’un incendie s’approche dangereusement de la ville. Les habitants sont appelés au confinement.#Marseille #Incendie
pic.twitter.com/owISPnb4Ku— Media Express (@media_express_e) July 8, 2025
Just in
🇫🇷 Massive fire at the gates of Marseille, France
— Iran VS Israel (@_iran_vs_israel) July 8, 2025
Another resident, Jacqueline Revila, said the smoke is very thick. “They ordered us to stay inside, with a message they sent to our mobile phone. We are waiting for further instructions,” she said.
The local Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region posted on platform X that “at this stage, residents must stay inside their homes. Close windows, doors (…) and do not move on the roads,” it stated.
OMG! This is Marseille, France. Look at the wind. This isn’t good 😬pic.twitter.com/ClizJRnYq1
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 8, 2025
⚠️🚒: La situation est critique près de #Marseille, où un #incendie de grande ampleur est en cours.🔥
⚠️🔥•Un violent #incendie s’est déclaré en fin de matinée et progresse rapidement, attisé par un #mistral particulièrement fort.
🚫 Les secteurs des hauteurs de La #Castellane… pic.twitter.com/Gfjv4ldfb8
— vigiprevention_meteo (@VigipreventionM) July 8, 2025
🔴🇫🇷DIRECT – Un gros nuage noir se propage au dessus de la ville marseillaise.#Incendie #Marseille pic.twitter.com/miutLY0SXp
— Media Express (@media_express_e) July 8, 2025
In the center of Marseille there is a strong smell of burning and smoke covers some parts of the city.
A municipal spokesperson said that the city’s outskirts, the 15th and 16th districts, which border Les Pennes-Mirabeau, are threatened by the fire.
Authorities are waiting for further instructions from the fire department to begin evacuations and residents are very anxious, she emphasized.
