Firefighters battle to avoid reignition of France's largest wildfire in decades
Aude prefect Christian Pouget said the fire has been contained since Thursday after burning this week more than 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) in the wooded region, known for its wineries.
Advertisement
All roads have been reopened but authorities issued a strict ban on accessing the forest, Mr Pouget said at a news conference on Saturday.
A camper prepares to leave the L'Espazo municipal campsite after France's largest wildfire in decades in Durban-Corbieres, southern France (Manu Fernandez/AP)
'The fight is continuing, firefighters are still working on (fire) reignition,' he said.
The blaze left one person dead and 25 people have been injured, including 19 firefighters, Mr Pouget said.
High temperatures in the coming days are expected to complicate firefighters' efforts.
Advertisement
'The fire won't be extinguished for several weeks,' Colonel Christophe Magny, director of the Aude fire department, said, pointing to several 'hot spots' that are being closely monitored.
Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfires in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France (Manu Fernandez/AP)
France's national weather agency Meteo France placed the southern half of France on a 'high vigilance' alert for a heatwave, with temperatures expected in the Aude region of up to 39C on Saturday.
In neighbouring Spain, firefighters continued to battle a wildfire in Avila province, over 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Madrid.
Victor Fernandez, a technician at the advanced command post, told reporters on Saturday the fire was being contained but warned the next hours would be 'critical'.
Advertisement
Extreme temperatures are expected to continue until at least next week, according to Spain's national weather service.
The fire began on Friday afternoon with the Spanish Military Emergencies Unit working through the night to bring it under control and prevent it from approaching roads and train lines.
Burned grapevines are pictured after firefighters contained France's largest wildfire in decades in Saint Laurent de La Cabrerisse, southern France (Manu Fernandez/AP)
Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer.
Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires.
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Urgent warning issued amid devastating heath fire
A major incident was declared as 100 firefighters tackled a huge blaze on Dorset heathland. The wildfire at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, initially measured around 1,000 metres by 800 metres and prompted the evacuation of 20 homes, though residents have since returned. Fire crews worked through the night, making steady progress to suppress the spread, with approximately 69 hectares of land affected by Sunday morning. A second heath fire at Newton Heath near Swanage, affecting 21 hectares, has also been burning since the previous Sunday. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown urged the public to stay away from the affected areas and avoid flying drones, citing the rapid spread and strain on resources.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Major incident declared as huge fire rages on Dorset heath
A major incident has been declared after 100 firefighters were called out to tackle a huge blaze raging on Dorset heathland. The wildfire, which prompted 20 homes to be evacuated, measured around 1,000 metres by 800 metres on Saturday evening, with fire crews working through the night and into Sunday morning to contain the blaze. The fire at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, spread rapidly due to windy conditions fanning the flames. All those who fled their homes on Saturday evening have now returned but residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the dense smoke billowing from the site. On Sunday morning, the fire service said that steady progress had been made through the night to suppress the spread of the fire - with around 69 hectares of land affected. A second heath fire, which affected 21 hectares of land at Newton Heath near Swanage, is also still burning. Firefighters have been tackling that blaze since last Sunday. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown said on Saturday: 'We have declared a major incident both due to the size of the fire at Holt Heath, and also the impact of this and Newton Heath on our overall availability of resources. 'We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions to bring these fires under control.' He added: 'I would ask the public to help us by staying away from the affected areas; the fire at Holt Heath, in particular, is spreading rapidly and anyone trying to see what's going on could be cut off very easily. We would also ask photographers not to fly drones near the fire, as we are using drones provided by Wessex Rescue to help us direct our firefighting.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Major heath blaze at Holt Heath brought under control
A wildfire in Dorset that spread rapidly due to windy conditions and led to 20 homes being evacuated has been brought under blaze at Holt Heath, near Wimborne, broke out on Saturday at about 11:10 BST, with about 100 firefighters sent to tackle the fast-moving & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews had worked extremely hard to bring it under control and had saved one property from the fire service declared a major incident due to the size of the fire and the number of crews at a heath and forest fire at Newton Heath, that has been burning since last Sunday. Firefighters from stations in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Devon and Somerset have been helping the Dorset chief fire officer Darren Langdown said: "We are extremely grateful to our neighbouring services for the support they are giving us, and I can only praise all of our staff who are working so hard in extremely arduous conditions."The Holt Road has been closed at the junction with Higher Road, as well as in Holt Heath village near the pub. People are being urged to say away from the fire at Newton Heath, between Corfe Castle and Swanage, has destroyed an area about the size of 35 football pitches since it broke out last the fire at Newton Heath is believed to have been started deliberately, the cause of the fire at Holt Heath is currently unknown. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
