France’s Worst Wildfire in Decades Brought Under Control

France’s Worst Wildfire in Decades Brought Under Control
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France’s largest wildfire this summer has been contained after killing one person and destroying thousands of hectares of land in the south, authorities said Thursday, as reported by France 24. The blaze broke out Tuesday in the Aude department, where around 2,000 firefighters were deployed. It burned about 17,000 hectares, destroyed dozens of homes, and injured 13 people, including 11 firefighters.

Officials described it as the most severe fire in the Mediterranean region in at least 50 years. Favourable weather conditions and reduced winds helped slow the fire’s advance, though authorities warned it will take several days before it is fully extinguished. A 65-year-old woman who refused to evacuate was found dead in her home.

Prime Minister François Bayrou called the disaster “unprecedented,” while France’s ecological transition minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, linked it to climate change and prolonged drought. The summer has already seen around 9,000 wildfires across France, mostly along the Mediterranean coast.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the Aude fire. Meanwhile in Spain, a wildfire near the tourist town of Tarifa has been stabilised, allowing the return of about 1,550 evacuated residents and visitors. Spain is currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures approaching 40°C.