VILLEROUGE LA CREMADE, France (AP) – The largest wildfire in France in decades continued to ravage the southern region of Aude, burning more than 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and tragically claiming one life. This catastrophic blaze, which ignited on Tuesday, has yet to be contained despite the efforts of over 2,100 firefighters and multiple water-bomber aircraft.
The fire's rapid advancement was exacerbated by weeks of hot and dry weather, but a shift to cooler temperatures and less windy conditions overnight provided a slight reprieve for firefighters battling the inferno. Region administrator Christian Pouget emphasized the ongoing struggle, declaring, "The battle continues, we have a fire that is not yet under control," during an interview with broadcaster BFMTV.
As the blaze spread across 15 communes within the Corbières massif, it has already destroyed or damaged at least 36 homes. The full extent of the destruction is still being assessed. Unfortunately, one individual perished in their home, and at least 13 others sustained injuries, including 11 firefighters. Additionally, local authorities reported that three individuals are currently unaccounted for, raising concerns within the Aude prefecture.
Efforts to investigate the cause of the fire are underway, as the landscape now presents a grim view of blackened trees and ash. Mayor Xavier de Volontat of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse expressed his sorrow over the devastating impact on the region, stating, "It's very sad to think about the image we're going to give of our Corbières region, with its devastated landscapes and desperate women and men, not just today or tomorrow, but for weeks and months to come. It will take years to rebuild."
Authorities have urged residents and tourists in nearby areas to remain indoors unless otherwise instructed to evacuate. Those who evacuated due to the flames were provided with shelter in temporary accommodation centers across 17 municipalities.
This wildfire, which originated in the village of Ribaute, has been identified as the most significant fire France has faced since 1949, according to Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the minister for ecological transition. She highlighted the relationship between this catastrophe and climate change, stating, "It is a fire that is clearly a consequence of climate change and drought in this region." Furthermore, the current situation marks the largest fire incident recorded since the establishment of a national fire database in 2006.
Southern Europe has experienced multiple large fires this summer, with scientists warning that climate change is exacerbating both the frequency and intensity of heat waves and dry conditions, making the region exceedingly vulnerable to wildfires. Just last month, a wildfire reached the southern port of Marseille, France's second-largest city, resulting in around 300 injuries.
According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at twice the rate of the global average since the 1980s. This alarming trend underscores the pressing reality that climate change is influencing the increasing incidents of devastating wildfires in the region, raising urgent questions about future environmental management and protection strategies.
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Hernan Munoz And Samuel Petrequin, The Associated Press
