France Battles Unprecedented Wildfire Disaster

A massive wildfire in France’s Aude region has burned over 15,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—killing one person, leaving another missing, and injuring at least 13. Prime Minister François Bayrou called it an unprecedented catastrophe linked to global warming and drought. Officials say it’s France’s largest wildfire since 1949. About 2,150 firefighters and dozens of aircraft are battling the blaze amid strong winds, high temperatures, and dry conditions; authorities warn it could continue for days. Thousands have been displaced, 25 homes destroyed, power cut to over 2,500 households, and some villages severely damaged. The region’s increased vulnerability is tied to reduced rainfall and fewer vineyards, which once helped slow fires. President Emmanuel Macron said national resources are fully mobilized.

A fast-moving wildfire in southern France has killed one person and injured 13 (including 11 firefighters), burning about 13,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—near Ribaute in the Aude region. At least 25 homes were destroyed, roads closed, and two campsites evacuated as around 2,000 firefighters and water-bomber aircraft battled “hellish” conditions fueled by hot, dry, windy weather and severe drought. Residents and tourists were told to stay indoors unless ordered to evacuate. The blaze, France’s largest this summer, follows other major Mediterranean wildfires, with scientists linking increased fire risk to climate change-driven heat and dryness.

French firefighters are battling the country’s largest wildfire since 1949 for a second day in southern France’s Aude region near the Spanish border. The blaze has burned over 16,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—killed one person, and remains uncontrolled, officials said. Scientists attribute rising wildfire risk in the Mediterranean to hotter, drier summers.

France’s largest wildfire in decades is burning across about 39,500 acres in the Aude prefecture, larger than Paris, leaving one woman dead, 13 injured (11 firefighters), and three missing. About 2,100 firefighters with 500 vehicles, planes, and helicopters are battling the blaze, which has spread to 15 towns amid drought and above-average heat. Prime Minister François Bayrou called it “unprecedented” and linked it to global warming. No rain is forecast for at least a week, though winds aren’t expected to surge. The fire is the biggest recorded since national tracking began in 2006 and possibly the largest since 1949. The EU signaled readiness to assist as Europe faces widespread heat and wildfire risks.