France’s Largest Wildfire In Decades Burns 16,000 Hectares In Aude Region

Massive Wildfire Rages in Southern France, One Dead and Three Missing

A huge wildfire that erupted on Tuesday in southern France has burned through more than 16,000 hectares of forests and villages, marking the worst wildfire the country has seen in nearly 80 years, according to officials.

Despite losing some intensity, the fire remains out of control, with authorities confirming one fatality, three people missing, and two critically injured, including a firefighter.

The blaze has devastated large areas of the Aude region, sending thick smoke into the sky. Drone footage revealed vast stretches of blackened land, covering an area about 1.5 times the size of Paris.

Located about 100 km from the Spanish border and close to the Mediterranean Sea, the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds and extremely dry vegetation, following months of drought.

French Environment Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told France Info radio that the fire is now spreading more slowly due to cooler overnight temperatures. However, she warned that the situation remains dangerous.

“This is the most significant wildfire France has faced since 1949,” she said. “It is clearly a result of climate change and regional drought.”

Christophe Magny, a senior firefighting official, expressed hope that the fire could be contained by the end of Thursday but admitted it is not yet under control.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Scientists have long warned that the Mediterranean region is especially vulnerable to wildfires due to hotter and drier summers. Meanwhile, France’s weather service has issued a new heatwave alert, with soaring temperatures expected to hit southern regions from Friday onward.

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