France Wildfire Forces Evacuation of Over 10,000 Near Spanish Border

A wildfire burning out of control in southwestern France has forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from two dozen towns and villages near the Spanish border. Officials warned on Monday that strong winds would further fan the blaze.

The European Union announced it was sending four waterbombing aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden to assist French firefighters around the city of Perpignan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X, 'Europe stands with France.'

Local prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe reported on X that the fire has scorched about 4,600 hectares in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.

'This morning conditions are deteriorating again,' Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned on French TV station TF1. 'Today the battle resumes.'

Early summer heatwaves in France and across western Europe in May and June have scorched vast areas, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfires this year.

The Trevillach blaze, which injured five people including a firefighter, is burning near the route of the third stage of the Tour de France. Local authorities have closed the leg to the public to allow emergency services easy access. Although the race will proceed, the motorcade of team vehicles will be kept to a minimum.

On the Spanish side of the border, the fire ravaged 2,200 hectares—97% of them in the protected natural area of Les Gavarres. Catalan authorities said late on Saturday that the fire was stable and would be completely extinguished during the week.

Police have arrested an employee of a company contracted by Catalonia's regional government. The suspect is believed to have sparked the wildfire by using an angle grinder at the side of a road.

South of Catalonia, in the eastern Castellon province, 500 people were evacuated after a wildfire entered the Sierra de Espadan national park, home to a significant cork oak forest.