Wildfires Rage Across Southern France Amid Heatwave and Strong Winds
Firefighters are battling multiple blazes in southern France, with nearly 7,000 fires reported this summer and thousands of acres burned, while officials warn of continued heat and fire risk.
Firefighters in southern France are contending with several wildfires fueled by strong winds and lingering heat. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said three fires, including two on the outskirts of Marseille, have scorched about 2,990 acres, with no casualties reported. The largest blaze, near the Spanish border in the Aude region, has consumed roughly 2,200 acres and involves around 800 firefighters battling gusty conditions.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted that nearly 7,000 fires have ignited since the start of the summer season, burning approximately 22,000 acres. He described the situation as "fairly tense" and traveled to Marseille for a crisis meeting after a new fire broke out near Roquemaure in the Gard department.
Smaller fires near Marseille's airport and in Lancon-Provence have been largely contained, though smoke prompted a pilot to reassure passengers. In the east, more than 2,000 people were evacuated from six campsites near Frejus due to a nearby forest fire. The World Meteorological Organization warned that prolonged high temperatures, low humidity and dry vegetation are increasing wildfire risk across Western Europe, and France's weather service expects another heat spike next week following a June heat wave that may have contributed to about 1,000 excess deaths.