A fire broke out between Les Pennes-Mirabeau and Septème-les-Vallons on Monday, July 28. While the flames were extinguished during the night, emergency services remain mobilized on Tuesday, July 29. The risk of fire remains high in the Bouches-du-Rhône due to weather conditions that have led to the closure of several forested areas. Here is an update.
The Alpilles massif and its surroundings remain on alert. On Monday, July 28, a new fire broke out between Les Pennes-Mirabeau and Septèmes-les-Vallons, at the junction of highways A7 and A51. A particularly exposed area, due to weather conditions and dry vegetation. The intervention of emergency services was massive to prevent the worst. Here is an update.
51 firefighters still on the ground
As of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 51 firefighters were still mobilized in Septèmes-les-Vallons, according to Sdis13. The fire, extinguished during the night, was contained in time, avoiding the destruction of inhabited areas and untouched vegetation. Teams remain on high alert to prevent any resurgence.
The Mistral wind continues to blow: weather conditions favorable to fires
The wind remains the main risk factor. On Monday, gusts of up to 100 km/h were recorded in the Bouches-du-Rhône. The Mistral is expected to persist until Tuesday, August 5, according to weather expert Paul Marquis: «with gusts of 60 to 65 km/h, we are in for a long period of Mistral in our department«. Temperatures are rising, according to Paul Marquis, they will remain between 26 to 31 degrees in the afternoon, until Sunday, August 3.
Since yesterday, the start of a lasting Mistral episode that will continue until Wednesday, July 30 in the Bouches-du-Rhône. With sustained gusts up to 80km/h depending on the days.
Monday, July 28 is particularly «cool» for the season. With a wind… pic.twitter.com/HlLdNzJ9Ye
— Paul Marquis (Weather Expert) (@La_Meteo_du_13) July 25, 2025
The weather expert also assesses the month of July. He explains: «by the end of the month, we will have recorded nearly 11 days of strong winds. For an average of 8.2. That’s a surplus of nearly 25%.» He adds: «the summer feeling of July is disrupted by the frequent Mistral. With the famous Upwelling effect that cools the sea. And that will persist until early August at least«.
Twelve forested areas still closed in the western part of the department
On Tuesday, twelve areas remain off-limits in the western half of the department, including the Alpilles, the Côte Bleue, and the Montagnette. A precautionary measure, as on Monday, all 25 forested areas in the Bouches-du-Rhône had been completely closed due to «high» fire risk.
#ForestFires | For Tuesday, July 29, 2025:
🔥🔴 VERY SEVERE fire risk for 13 forested areas out of 25 in the #bouchesdurhone: Alpilles, Arbois, Castillon, Chaîne des Côtes, Chambremont, Cote Bleue, Lançon, Les Roques, Montagnette, Pont de Rhaud,… pic.twitter.com/Wj1GkNgkAW
— Prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (@Prefet13) July 28, 2025
Disrupted traffic, partially restored
The latest press release from the prefecture dated Monday, July 28 at 9:30 p.m. states that highways A7 and A51 have been reopened in both directions. Only the access ramp towards Rognac on A7 via A51 remained closed. Security operations continued throughout the night to ensure a gradual resumption of traffic.
Fire at A7 / A51 interchange – Situation update n°2, 9:30 p.m.: https://t.co/mKyUPfQMEG
At 9:30 p.m., highways A7 and A51 are reopened in both directions, except for the access ramp to A7 via A51, towards Rognac which remains closed.
Confinement measures are lifted, a… pic.twitter.com/zhYgkd1rOe
— Prefect of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (@Prefet13) July 28, 2025
Air traffic was also disrupted. At least nine planes were unable to land at Marseille-Provence airport. But regular traffic was able to resume around 6:45 p.m. on Monday, July 28.
A fire near the A7/A51 interchange on Monday, July 28
The fire broke out on Monday at 4:40 p.m. near interchange 517 between highways A7 and A51, in the municipalities of Les Pennes-Mirabeau and Septèmes-les-Vallons. The flames notably destroyed the buildings of a caravan company. The fire, still active at 7:30 p.m., was contained but under enhanced surveillance.
>> Major fire since 4:30 PM near Les Pennes-Mirabeau at the convergence between A7 and A51.
A7 is closed towards Marignane as well as A517 also from Plan-de-Campagne.
2 Dash planes are engaged with 1 heavy HBE and several Canadairs.
Supported by… pic.twitter.com/jVBQGGQwtA
— Paul Marquis (Weather Expert) (@La_Meteo_du_13) July 28, 2025
Nearly 400 firefighters were deployed on site, accompanied by 100 ground vehicles. On the aerial side, two Dash planes, a water bomber helicopter, and several Canadair planes were quickly mobilized. Le but était d’empêcher la propagation vers le massif de l’Étoile et de protéger les habitations. Au total, onze hectares ont été parcourus. The fire, still active at 7:30 PM, was contained but under reinforced surveillance.
Near 400 firefighters were deployed on site, accompanied by 100 ground vehicles. In the air, two Dash planes, a heavy water bomber helicopter, and several Canadairs were quickly mobilized. The goal: to prevent the spread towards the Etoile massif and protect the homes. In total, eleven hectares were covered.
A fire between Pennes-Mirabeau and Septèmes-les-Vallons broke out on Monday, July 28. While the flames were contained overnight, emergency services remain mobilized on Tuesday, July 29. The risk of fire remains high in Bouches-du-Rhône due to weather conditions leading to the closure of several forested areas.
The Alpilles massif and its surroundings remain on alert. On Monday, July 28, a new fire broke out between Pennes-Mirabeau and Septèmes-les-Vallons, at the junction of highways A7 and A51. A particularly exposed area, due to weather conditions and dry vegetation. The intervention of emergency services was massive to prevent the worst.
51 firefighters were still on the ground in Septèmes-les-Vallons at 6 am on Tuesday, July 29, according to Sdis13. The fire, contained overnight, was successfully controlled in time, avoiding the destruction of inhabited areas and untouched vegetation. Teams remain on high alert to prevent any resurgence.
The mistral wind continues to blow: favorable weather conditions for fire outbreaks. Strong gusts of up to 100 km/h were recorded in Bouches-du-Rhône on Monday. The mistral is expected to persist until Tuesday, August 5, according to weather expert Paul Marquis: «With gusts of 60 to 65 km/h, we are in for a long period of mistral in our department.» Temperatures are rising, according to Paul Marquis, they will remain between 26 to 31 degrees in the afternoon, until Sunday, August 3.
The weather expert also provides a summary of July. He explains: «By the end of the month, we will have experienced nearly 11 days of strong winds. Averaging 8.2. That’s an excess of nearly 25%.» He adds: «The summer feeling in July is disrupted by frequent mistral. With the famous Upwelling effect cooling the sea. And it will persist until at least early August.»
Twelve forested areas remain closed in the western part of the department on Tuesday, including the Alpilles, Côte Bleue, and Montagnette. This precautionary measure was taken as on Monday, all 25 forested areas in Bouches-du-Rhône were completely closed due to the «high» fire risk.
The latest press release from the prefecture as of Monday, July 28 at 9:30 PM confirms that highways A7 and A51 have been reopened in both directions. Only the access ramp towards Rognac on A7 via A51 remained closed. Les opérations de sécurisation se sont poursuivies toute la nuit afin d’assurer une reprise progressive du trafic.
SOURCE
Maria Izquierdo
Soy María Izquierdo, profesional junior en comunicación digital. Creo y gestiono contenido para redes y medios online, combinando copywriting, narrativa visual y edición básica. Con formación en comunicación audiovisual y un máster en contenidos digitales, me motiva el storytelling y conectar con audiencias jóvenes a través de contenido creativo.















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