[Saba Sports News] According to Swiss broadcaster RSI, a fire broke out near the Swiss national team’s World Cup training base, but fortunately, the blaze has now been contained.
The fire erupted in a woodland area around 9:30 a.m. local time on June 9, just a few minutes’ drive from the Fairmont Hotel where the Swiss squad is staying. Fueled by high temperatures and strong winds, the fire spread across 65 hectares. Authorities issued evacuation alerts to nearby residents.
The national team is not required to evacuate for the time being. Their hotel lies within a yellow evacuation zone under Level 2 alert. The Swiss Football Association and FIFA are in constant contact with local authorities. Firefighters have been deployed in large numbers with ample resources, including firefighting aircraft. The latest update from fire officials is reassuring: despite the hot and windy conditions, the fire is under control. New instructions will be released if the situation takes a turn for the worse.
In my view, the fire was caused by high temperatures, dry air and strong winds, a natural incident rather than a blaze originating from facilities inside the team base. Wildfires of this kind are commonplace here in California during the hot, dry and windy summer season.