Wildfires Destroy Hundreds of Hectares of Forest in Southern France
Massive wildfires in southern France, particularly in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, have destroyed about 930 hectares of forest in one night. Seven departments are on very high alert, with over 580 firefighters battling the blazes amid extreme heat and strong winds.
Wildfires continue to rage in southern France, where conditions have worsened due to intense heat and strong winds. The hardest-hit area is the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where a new fire in the mountainous region near Trevillach burned approximately 930 hectares of forest overnight.
More than 580 firefighters are deployed to contain the flames, but their efforts are hampered by difficult terrain and adverse weather. No evacuation has been ordered so far, but the situation remains tense. Southern regions are under an elevated fire alert.
Seven Departments at Very High Risk
According to the meteorological service, seven departments—Aude, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhône—have been declared zones of "very high risk" for fires. Extreme temperatures of 38–40°C and strong winds are expected, which will further fan the flames.
French authorities say the wildfire season has started about a month earlier than usual and has already caused large-scale blazes in several departments. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed concern over the situation, warning that France could face a severe wildfire season due to a combination of heat, dryness, and wind.
Heat Wave Claims Lives
Earlier, it was reported that the last heat wave at the end of June could be linked to over 2,000 "excess" deaths in France; the figure may rise after complete data is collected. French hospitals are urgently adjusting operations ahead of a new heat wave.
In Spain, the heat wave has been associated with about 1,000 deaths, while in Belgium, the number of deaths during the June heat wave increased by 39%.
