The Vienne firefighters were called at 5:20 p.m. on Saturday June 13, 2026 for a standing wheat and barley fire which broke out at a place called Les Maillets, in the town of La Chapelle-Moulière. The fire is such that a plume of smoke is visible several kilometers nearby.
The firefighters received help from farmers.
© Photo NR, Marie-Laure Aveline
When they arrived on site, the burned area was estimated at around eight hectares. Around thirty firefighters were mobilized, including five forest fire tanks from the fire and rescue centers of Châtellerault (two engines), Chauvigny, Poitiers Saint-Éloi and Bonneuil-Matours.
They are carrying out intensive watering and saw the arrival of three farmers in their tractor who came to lend them a helping hand with cultivators; tools that allow you to scrape the earth to prevent the spread of flames. Indeed, homes in the hamlet of Maillets are located less than 50 meters from the devastated field. They were not threatened.
Various pneumatic materials stored near a hangar were destroyed by the flames. The 1,600 m2 hangar was not affected.
© (Photo NR-CP, Marie-Laure Aveline)
In addition to the standing crops, ten bales of straw were burned as well as various pneumatic materials which were located near a 1,600 m2 shed which is used to store equipment and fodder. The latter was not touched. The rapid action of firefighters with the support of farmers also made it possible to preserve a plot of 20 hectares of standing wheat adjoining the devastated field.
Last week, the first crop fire of the year in Vienne took place on Thursday June 11 in the town of Jouhet. Around thirty firefighters were also mobilized.
