Wildfire forces evacuations in southern France as firefighters battle blaze
A wildfire spanning 14,000 hectares has forced the evacuation of dozens of residents in southern France, authorities confirmed on Thursday, as firefighters battle the blaze amid scorching temperatures and strong winds. The fire, which erupted in the Hérault and Aude departments, has already consumed 800 hectares, according to the latest reports from French emergency services.
More than 750 firefighters and rescue personnel have been deployed to contain the flames, which have spread rapidly due to high winds and extreme heat. The blaze has prompted the evacuation of several neighborhoods and campsites in the Fréjus area, local officials said. "The situation remains extremely volatile," a spokesperson for the Hérault prefecture told *Le Monde* . By Wednesday evening, the fire had already destroyed 30 hectares, forcing authorities to take urgent measures to protect populated areas.
The scale of the disaster has drawn comparisons to previous years' wildfires, with Dutch broadcaster *NU.nl* describing the blaze as covering an area equivalent to 1,600 football fields . French media reported that the fire is the first major wildfire of the year in the region, raising concerns about the severity of the upcoming fire season. Météo-France has issued red alerts for extreme heat in several southern departments, including Hérault and Aude, where temperatures are expected to remain dangerously high through the weekend.
French Interior Minister Sébastien Lecornu is set to chair an interministerial crisis cell on Thursday from Marseille, as authorities coordinate a national response to the growing threat of wildfires across the country. The government has warned that a new heatwave is expected to hit France starting this weekend, further increasing the risk of further outbreaks. "We are facing an exceptional situation," Lecornu said in a statement, urging local authorities to remain vigilant .
The wildfire crisis comes as France grapples with the aftermath of last year's devastating fire season, which saw nearly 150,000 acres burned in the Grand Canyon alone . Environmental groups have criticized the government's preparedness, with environmental NGO *Livre* warning that reinforcements may not arrive in time to prevent further damage . As firefighters continue to battle the flames, the situation remains fluid, with authorities warning that the worst may still be ahead.
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