Southern France faced multiple wildfires on Thursday as strong winds fueled flames across drought-hit regions. Authorities ordered evacuations while firefighters worked to contain several fast-moving blazes. Moreover, dry vegetation and recent extreme heat accelerated the fires, raising fresh concerns about wildfire risks.
Firefighters Battle Blazes Across Southern France
Firefighters continued battling several major wildfires across southern France on Thursday. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said three major fires burned nearly 1,210 hectares combined. Two of the fires erupted near the western edge of Marseille.
Consequently, emergency crews deployed hundreds of firefighters to protect nearby communities. Authorities also sent firefighting aircraft because rugged terrain limited ground access.
Officials said the Aude wildfire scorched around 800 hectares by Wednesday evening. Although firefighters contained parts of the blaze, they had not fully controlled it. Temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, strong winds, and dry vegetation accelerated the fire’s spread.
Meanwhile, firefighters contained another 260-hectare wildfire in Lancon-Provence. Crews also tackled a smaller blaze near Marseille Airport in Rognac. Fortunately, officials reported no injuries or fatalities.
However, smoke spread across nearby areas and affected air travelers. Pilots reassured passengers that smoke odors did not originate from their aircraft.
Evacuations Ordered as Heat Raises Wildfire Threat
Authorities evacuated more than 2,000 people from six campsites near Frejus on Wednesday. Furthermore, officials evacuated residents from Pouzols-Minervois and Mailhac while advising others to remain indoors.
Around 200 residents faced emergency safety measures in those towns. The recent fires followed a severe European heatwave that dried forests across France.
Last week, the World Meteorological Organization warned that prolonged heat, low humidity, and dry vegetation would increase wildfire risks. Additionally, France’s weather service warned another intense heatwave could arrive next week. Health officials estimate the previous heatwave caused around 1,000 excess deaths across the country.
