Thousands Evacuated as Wildfire Sweeps Through Southwest France

Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes as a fast moving wildfire continues to burn across southwestern France near the Spanish border.

French authorities have evacuated about 10,000 people from more than 20 towns and villages as strong winds and dry conditions fuel the blaze. The fire has already scorched approximately 4,600 hectares of land in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, with officials warning that weather conditions could worsen the situation.

Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and emergency crews, are battling the flames in an effort to prevent the fire from spreading to more communities. Authorities have also restricted public access to parts of the Tour de France Stage 3 route to allow emergency services to operate safely while the race continues with reduced support vehicles.

The wildfire comes after weeks of intense heat and drought across southern Europe, conditions that have significantly increased the risk of devastating forest fires. Across the border in Spain’s Catalonia region, another major wildfire has burned more than 2,200 hectares, though officials say it is now largely under control.