1 Dead, Thousands Evacuated as Firefighters Battle Raging Wildfire: 'A Catastrophe of Unprecedented Scale'
One person has died after another wildfire tore through southern France, forcing thousands of people to evacuate
Two other people reportedly have been hospitalized, including one person who is in critical condition
This new wildfire comes about a month after another blaze near Pennes-Mirabeau left more than 100 people injuredOne person is dead and thousands of people have been evacuated as a wildfire rages in southern France.
The fire has burned more than 13,000 hectares (50 square miles) of land since it began near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region on Tuesday, Aug. 5, according to the BBC and The Guardian.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 6, the blaze is considered France's biggest wildfire in almost 80 years, according to Reuters.
Officials have said one person has died in the village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse. She has been described by the BBC as an elderly woman.
Two other people have been hospitalized, including one person who is in critical condition. Several firefighters have been injured as well, according to the reports.
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All residents in the village of Jonquières have been evacuated, Mayor Jacques Piraux said, per The Guardian. Campgrounds in surrounding areas have been evacuated as well.
In a post on X, President Emmanuel Macron urged residents to follow evacuation orders and exercise 'the utmost caution' near the blaze.
At least 25 homes have been damaged by the fire, according to the BBC and Reuters.
France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the fire as 'a catastrophe of unprecedented scale.' He is expected to visit the area on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Meanwhile, Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude area, said the fire 'is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress,' according to the BBC.
She also said the blaze "will keep us busy for several days,' describing it as 'a long-term operation.'
This new wildfire comes about a month after a separate wildfire in southern France left more than 100 people injured after burning near Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille.
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France's interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, said at the time that over 400 people were "ordered to evacuate" their homes due to the blaze, while another "14,000 were told to stay home."
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