People Evacuated from Bitsch Due to Forest Fire Can Return
Published: Saturday, Jul 22nd 2023, 18:40
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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Evacuated people from the village of Oberried near Bitsch/Ried-Mörel in Switzerland can return to their homes on Sunday from 10am onwards. The roadblock above Bitsch will be lifted by the canton and the road Ried-Mörel will be opened after an assessment by specialists. The situation around the forest fire that broke out last Monday evening is "unchanged and stable". Firefighters and helicopter pilots will take a break on Sunday, but surveillance with thermal cameras will be suspended over the weekend. Specialists will continue to monitor the area and fight any remaining embers. The fire is still not under control and between 60 and 80 firefighters are still fighting the embers on the ground and from the air. The exact size of the fire is still unknown. The airspace around Bitsch has been closed to all civilian aircraft, including drones, until next Friday to protect the ongoing activities of the emergency services. Rescue and blue light flights are still allowed.
©Keystone/SDA
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