Wildfires ravaged southern France on Thursday, fueled by strong winds and record-high temperatures following a recent heat wave. The Aude and Herault regions experienced the largest blazes, with local authorities reporting over 900 hectares (2,200 acres) scorched. Approximately 800 firefighters and 150 vehicles have been mobilized to combat the flames.
Evacuations and Damage in Pyrenees-Orientales
In the Pyrenees-Orientales region, nearly 3,000 tourists and locals were evacuated due to a wildfire that erupted in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, spreading to Canet-en-Roussillon near the Spanish border. Disturbing television footage captured warehouses and a yacht engulfed in flames, with thick clouds of dark smoke billowing over the beach.
According to Pierre Regnault de La Mothe, the top regional official, two firefighters sustained minor injuries while battling the fires. Earlier in the day, firefighters managed to bring two other fires under control on the outskirts of Marseille, France's second-largest city.
Government Response to Wildfire Crisis
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting in Marseille, stating that nearly 7,000 fires had broken out since the summer began, resulting in approximately 8,700 hectares burned. He described the situation as "fairly tense." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted that since Wednesday, 1,200 firefighters have been mobilized to fight the forest fires.
“Weather conditions remain particularly unfavorable,” Nunez stated in a post on X. The persistent dry conditions, coupled with strong winds sweeping across the Mediterranean region, have created a heightened risk of wildfires.
Ongoing Heat Wave Conditions
France has been grappling with extreme weather, having experienced an 11-day heat wave in June that saw temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many areas. With no rain forecasted in the coming days, high temperatures and drought conditions are expected to continue.
- 800 firefighters deployed
- 150 vehicles in action
- Approximately 3,000 evacuations in Pyrenees-Orientales
- Nearly 7,000 fires reported this summer
- 8,700 hectares burned
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by DW English. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
