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Wildfires rage in southern France as heatwave, drought fuel blazes
Wildfires on Thursday erupted in southern France, Spreading across vast expanse of land, after weeks of dry weather and increased temperatures across the country and much of Europe.
Officials say nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated, half of whom were from three campsites, with water-bombing planes deployed to combat the inferno.
Local authorities said the Aude and Herault regions experienced the most intense conflagration, with about 800 firefighters and 150 vehicles deployed to tackle the flames that spread over 900 hectares (2,200 acres).
In the neighboring Marseille region, two blazes which are yet to be totally extinguished were however brought under control.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the situation is fairly tense, as about 7,000 fires have broken out since the beginning of summer season, wreaking havoc on 8,700 hectares of land.
Reports say four water-bomber aircraft were deployed to support firefighters in the Aude region.
Alain Bucquet, the Aude prefect, told reporters that “The idea is to bring the fire under control quickly because temperatures are rising and the wind is growing stronger,” as the Aude region experiences regular wildfires, with the largest wildfire in decades in the region erupting last year.
1,500 persons from three campsites were evacuated due to blazes in the seaside resort of Canet-en-Roussillon, tearing through hundreds of mobile homes.
Regional prefect, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe said firefighters were engaged in “a fierce struggle” to prevent the flames from spreading in an industrial zone.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,200 firefighters had been mobilised since Wednesday.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Weather conditions remain particularly unfavourable.”
According to Meteo-France weather agency, elevated temperatures are likely to hit the country next week, though not expected to be as extreme like those of June.
