More than 10,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in southern France as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread, prompting the evacuation of 24 towns and villages near the country’s border with Spain.
Authorities say strong winds are fueling the flames, making firefighting efforts increasingly difficult and allowing the fires to spread rapidly across the region.
To support France’s response, the European Union (EU) has deployed four firefighting aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden, along with more than 100 emergency responders to reinforce teams battling the blaze in the Trevillach area near the city of Perpignan.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said Europe stands in solidarity with France as it confronts the devastating wildfires.
So far, the fires have injured 16 people, including four firefighters, and have scorched more than 11,300 hectares of land across the Pyrenees mountains.
Climate experts say the intense heat recorded across Western Europe during May and June left vegetation and soil extremely dry, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread much faster than usual.
The wildfire also reached areas close to the route of the Tour de France, forcing authorities to restrict public access to the third stage of the race to ensure emergency operations could continue without disruption.
Forecasters warn that temperatures could climb back to 40°C in southern France later this week, while Spain and Portugal continue to face an ongoing heatwave.
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