Latest news with #AgnèsPannierRunacher
Arab News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
France's largest wildfire in decades contained after devastating southern region and wine country
Late Thursday, the region's top government official said the fire was containedThe fire swept through 15 communes in the Corbières mountain region, destroying or damaging at least 36 homes, with a full damage assessment still underwayVILLEROUGE LA CREMADE, France: France's largest wildfire in decades was contained Thursday after burning more than 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) in the country's southern wine region and claiming one life, local authorities blaze erupted Tuesday and tore through the Aude region, spreading rapidly due to hot, dry weather. Cooler overnight temperatures and calmer winds slowed its advance and allowed firefighters to make Thursday, the region's top government official said the fire was contained. However, residents were warned not to return home without authorization, as many roads remained blocked and fire swept through 15 communes in the Corbières mountain region, destroying or damaging at least 36 homes, with a full damage assessment still underway. One person died at home, and at least 13 others were injured, including 11 firefighters, according to local authorities. Three people who were reported missing have been found investigation is underway to determine what sparked the fire was the largest recorded since France's national fire database was created in France's minister for ecological transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, called the blaze the worst since 1949 and linked it to climate change.'It is a fire that is clearly a consequence of climate change and drought in this region,' she told France Info the breakthrough, officials warned the situation remained fragile.'We still have a few days before we can say that the fire is completely out,' region administrator Christian Pouget said. 'The battle is not over region's economy relies heavily on winemaking and tourism — both fire began in the village of Ribaute, in a rural, wooded area known for its wineries. Pouget said between 8 and 9 square kilometers (more than 3 square miles) of vineyards had burned. Officials estimate 80 percent of local vines were either destroyed or damaged — and even the grapes that survived may be too smoke-tainted to produce quality wine.'The vineyards are burnt and the landscape is gone,' said Batiste Caval, a seventh-generation winemaker near vineyards acted as natural firebreaks, leaving a surreal patchwork of scorched hills and untouched green vines. But across the Corbières, entire stretches of historic vineyards were reduced to ash. Caval, who owns 60 of the 400 hectares farmed by a local cooperative, said the fire may tip already struggling winemakers into crisis after years of drought and other harsh vines typically take three years to bear usable fruit. Some can produce wine for decades, even up to half a century.'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,' said Xavier de Volontat, the mayor of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, speaking to and tourists in nearby areas had been asked to stay indoors unless ordered to evacuate. Those forced to flee were housed overnight in emergency shelters across 17 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. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, France's second-largest city, left around 300 people is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Biggest French wildfire since 1949 a 'catastrophe on an unprecedented scale'
French firefighters continue to battle the spread of a wildfire in the south of the country that has left one person dead and burnt 17,000 hectares since Tuesday. It's the country's biggest blaze since 1949, according to the Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. The fire began late on Tuesday in the village of Ribaute in the southern Aude department, a rural, wooded area that is home to several wineries. Some 2,000 firefighters were mobilised to control the blaze, with the aid of 500 trucks, four Canadair planes and helicopters equipped to drop water. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary-general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. Planes were dropping water on the flames, but Roesch warned: "This fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation." 'Remain cautious' The blaze has already burned some 17,000 hectares of land – an area larger than the city of Paris, according to Colonel Christophe Magny, head of the Aude fire department. Some 3,000 homes were still threatenend by the fire on Thursday, while around 1,000 people who had been evacuated in the area had not yet been allowed to return home. "The objective is to stabilise the fire and halt its progress by the end of the day", Magny said, adding: "We have to remain cautious." Firefighters warned that stronger winds were forecast for later on Thursday, when local temperatures were set to reach 32C. A 65-year-old woman, who had refused to be evacuated, was found dead in her scorched house, while 13 people were injured, 11 of them firefighters, according to the Aude prefecture. Around 36 homes and numerous cars have been destroyed. Three people reported missing by their relatives have since been located, according to authorities. 'It looks like a lunar landscape' French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who visited the affected region on Wednesday, described the fire as a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale," and linked it to global warming. He posted a message on social media pledging support to the firefighting crews, residents, elected officials and local winegrowers. Jacques Piraux, mayor of the village of Jonquières, on Wednesday described scenes of sadness and desolation. "It looks like a lunar landscape, everything is burned. More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down. It's hellish," he told French television channel BFM-TV. David Cerdan, 51, fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where the woman who had refused evacuation died. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan. Far-reaching impact People as far as 30 kilometres away from the fire have felt its impact. "The air is smell of burning has seeped into homes," said Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle. The frequency of wildfires is taking a toll on local residents, said Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan. "It's terrible for the wildlife, the flora, and for the people who are losing everything," she said. How satellite technology is being used in France to fight forest fires An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, local officials said. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". The European Union's crisis management commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, said on X: "The EU stands ready to mobilise international support, if needed." The Aude department has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the uprooting of vineyards, which used to help slow down the advance of fires. This summer has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast, according to the French emergency management service. (with newswires)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
French firefighters struggle to contain biggest wildfire since 1949
France is grappling with its largest wildfire in nearly 80 years, with the three-day blaze still raging near the border with Spain. As of Thursday, at least one person has been killed and three more are missing. Firefighters battled for a third day on Thursday to contain France's biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades, which has burnt more than 16,000 hectares, killed one person and destroyed dozens of houses. Reuters TV images showed plumes of smoke rising over the forest area in the region of Aude in southern France. Drone footage showed large swatches of charred vegetation. One person has died, three are missing and two people including a firefighter are in critical condition, local authorities said. "As of now, the fire has not been brought under control," Christophe Magny, one of the officials leading the firefighting operation, told BFM TV. He added that he hoped the blaze could be contained later in the day. The blaze, around 100 km from the border with Spain, not far from the Mediterranean Sea, began on Tuesday and has spread rapidly. It has already swept through an area one-and-a-half times bigger than Paris. Officials have said it is France's biggest wildfire since 1949. The fire is now advancing more slowly, Environment Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told France Info radio. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, France's second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. France's weather office has warned of a new heatwave starting in other parts of southern France on Friday and due to last several days. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters and AP)
France 24
3 days ago
- Climate
- France 24
French firefighters struggle to contain biggest wildfire since 1949
Firefighters battled for a third day on Thursday to contain France 's biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades, which has burnt more than 16,000 hectares, killed one person and destroyed dozens of houses. Reuters TV images showed plumes of smoke rising over the forest area in the region of Aude in southern France. Drone footage showed large swatches of charred vegetation. One person has died, three are missing and two people including a firefighter are in critical condition, local authorities said. "As of now, the fire has not been brought under control," Christophe Magny, one of the officials leading the firefighting operation, told BFM TV. He added that he hoped the blaze could be contained later in the day. The blaze, around 100 km from the border with Spain, not far from the Mediterranean Sea, began on Tuesday and has spread rapidly. It has already swept through an area one-and-a-half times bigger than Paris. Officials have said it is France's biggest wildfire since 1949. The fire is now advancing more slowly, Environment Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told France Info radio. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, France's second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. France's weather office has warned of a new heatwave starting in other parts of southern France on Friday and due to last several days.
Times
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Times
Europe's heatwaves: the holiday destinations with heat warnings in place
Several countries in southern and eastern Europe are battling with a heatwave that's seen temperatures rise above 40C during the last few weeks. Heat warnings are in place across large parts of France; Spain and Portugal broke temperature records for June, and in some regions of Italy hospital admissions have risen by a fifth due to heat-related illnesses. 'Roll clouds' — created when cold air flows from the bottom of a storm cloud and pushes warm air upwards — have been spotted in Portugal. The heatwave has also lowered water levels in the Rhine, hampering the amount that cargo ships can transport, while a string of wildfires have been breaking out across western Turkey. Here's everything you need to know if you're unsure whether to go ahead with a planned holiday, from how to stay safe to whether you're protected if you decide to cancel. Météo-France, the national weather service, issued France's highest level alert for Paris at the end of June 2025. It warned that a heatwave of 'scorching magnitude' was affecting large parts of the country. The top of the Eiffel Tower is closed at the time of writing. French ecology minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher reported two deaths linked to the heatwave, while 300 people have been taken to hospital. Temperatures are starting to drop in the country. The health ministry has put 18 cities — including Florence, the country's hottest city at present, and Rome — on its highest alert. Regions including Tuscany have reported an increase in hospital admissions. A lorry driver has been found dead in the province of Brescia with doctors believing that the extreme weather may have been a contributing factor, while there have been reports of at least two other fatalities potentially linked to the heatwave. Temperatures will peak in the country on Friday, according to forecaster il Meteo. Warnings from weather service Deutscher Wetterdienst remain in place for parts of the south and west, including cities such as Dusseldorf and Stuttgart. Heat warnings are in place in Spain and two people have died in Catalonia following a wildfire. The country's weather forecaster AEMET has predicted temperatures of 43C in Cordoba for today, July 2. Portugal's Directorate-General for Health issued a severe weather warning and has advised citizens to stay indoors between 11am and 5pm. The town of Mora in the centre of the country recorded a high of 46.6C this week. Warnings are also in place for some parts of Croatia and the Balkans with temperatures expected to remain very hot this week. Meanwhile, the rise in temperatures has seen an increase in wildfires, with the island of Chios in Greece being affected last week and western Turkey suffering over the past few days. Emergency medical services are on standby in many countries and people have been warned to stay inside as much as possible. • Turkey wildfires: is it safe to travel?• Airport 100ml liquids rule: which UK airports have changed restrictions? The high temperatures look set to continue throughout the week. AEMET predicts the heatwave will continue until at least mid-week in Spain, while it is expected that temperatures in Italy will not return to seasonal averages until at least the weekend. Yes, but you should be sensible, and follow local advice and take necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. Travellers should also be mindful that some tourist destinations might be closed to visitors during peak hours to protect them from the extreme heat. The Foreign Office is not, however, advising that people avoid visiting countries currently experiencing extreme heat, such as Spain and Greece. In most cases, tour operators and airlines will not offer refunds until the Foreign Office explicitly advises against non-essential travel to a destination. However, check your travel insurance policy carefully, as coverage can vary significantly. Many policies have clauses around extreme weather, which means you should be able to recoup some of your costs if you need to cancel. However, many standard trip cancellation clauses do not cover heatwaves unless they result in severe disruption or danger in the destination. In the event of serious disruption, package holidays (comprising a combination of flight, accommodation and/or car hire) bought from the same supplier with an Atol or Abta certificate should cover you for cancellation, curtailment or repatriation under the package travel regulations. You are more likely to receive compensation for cancellation if the relevant government or local authority in your chosen destination has issued a travel warning because of extreme heat. Currently, the Foreign Office does not advise travellers against visiting unusually hot destinations such as Greece, Spain and Italy, but in the unlikely event of it updating its guidance to warn against travel, it should be possible to cancel a holiday or rearrange your plans — speak to your travel provider about the possibilities. • Nine steps to a stress-free holiday• Travel insurance guide: everything you need to know If you have a medical condition that is making you reluctant to travel to your planned destination because of a heatwave, it is unlikely you'll be able to claim on your travel insurance — unless you suffer from a declared medical condition and a doctor deems that you are unfit to travel. Again, coverage varies, so check your policy. Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, including dehydration, exhaustion, heatstroke, heart attacks and strokes. It can also exacerbate existing conditions, according to the World Health Organization, including diabetes and asthma. Those most vulnerable to heat-related health issues include older people, those with underlying conditions, babies and very young children. You should wear light clothes, plenty of sunscreen and go indoors if you feel lightheaded. It is a good idea to keep blinds and curtains closed during the day. Stay hydrated, seek air-conditioned or shaded environments where possible, avoid exercise and sunbathing during the warmest times of the day, and avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, which contributes to dehydration. • How many months do I need on my passport to travel?• Compensation for cancelled and delayed flights: everything you need to know
