A fast-moving wildfire has burned at least 4,600 hectares of land and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from over a dozen towns and villages in southern France, as the country battles an early summer heatwave that has gripped much of Europe.
The blaze, burning near Trévillach in the foothills of the French Pyrenees close to the Spanish border, continues to spread amid fears that strong winds could worsen the situation.
Local prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe said the fire had already consumed at least 4,600 hectares.
“This morning conditions are deteriorating again,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez cautioned on French TV station TF1. “Today the battle resumes.”
Authorities warned that gusty conditions could accelerate the fire’s spread, raising concerns for nearby communities.
“It came within 300 metres (984ft) of the houses. We were shocked by how fast it spread, it was staggering – bordering on panic,” Patrice, a resident of Trévillach, told the AFP news agency.
The wildfire has also disrupted the Tour de France, with spectators advised to avoid the closing section of Monday’s third stage to ensure emergency vehicles have unhindered access to the affected area.
The 195.9-kilometre stage starts in Granollers and finishes in Les Angles. Organisers have urged fans and non-essential personnel to stay away from the final 40 kilometres, while the convoy of team vehicles accompanying the race has been significantly reduced.
“An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour,” said race director Christian Prudhomme. “We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site.”
Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union would deploy four firefighting aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden to support France’s emergency response.
The fires have spread beyond France into neighbouring Spain, where more than 2,200 hectares have been destroyed in the Les Gavarres natural reserve.
Catalan authorities said on Saturday that the blaze had been stabilised and was expected to be fully extinguished during the week.
In Spain’s eastern Castellon province, about 500 residents were also evacuated after another wildfire entered the Sierra de Espadan National Park.
Weather forecasters say temperatures could again climb to 40°C in south-west France this week, while parts of Portugal and Spain have already recorded temperatures above 40°C.
“Although this heatwave is unlikely to break records in the way June’s did, it will still be exceptional for the time of year,” said BBC Weather Lead Forecaster Matt Taylor.
“With the heat expected to persist into next week and little widespread rain forecast, the risk of further wildfires will remain elevated.”
France experienced its hottest nationwide average temperature on June 24 during last month’s record-breaking heatwave, when some regions recorded highs of 42°C.
The extreme heat was linked to at least 2,025 excess deaths in France, 1,222 in Belgium and about 480 in the Netherlands.
Scientists say climate change is intensifying temperatures worldwide, with Europe warming at roughly twice the global average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The rising temperatures are contributing to more frequent and severe heatwaves, increasing pressure on water resources and raising the risk of destructive wildfires across the continent.
