Mass Evacuations in Southern France as Wildfires Rage After Record Heatwave
Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated in southern France as wildfires, fueled by a recent record-breaking heatwave, continue to spread. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the fires broke out in the town of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer and quickly extended to Canet-en-Roussillon, prompting the movement of both tourists and local residents.
Firefighters reported that approximately half of those evacuated were from three campsites in the affected area. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries, according to Pierre Regnault de La Mothe, the top regional official for the southern department of Pyrenees-Orientales.
To combat the blazes, 200 firefighters and four water-bombing aircraft have been deployed. “We are mobilising a large network of volunteers,” the prefect stated.
The wildfires follow a record-breaking heatwave in June, which lasted 11 days and saw temperatures exceed 40°C in many parts of France. The World Meteorological Organisation noted that this extraordinary heatwave had “major impacts” on human health, ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure, and also heightened the risk of wildfires.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that 1,200 firefighters have been mobilised since Wednesday to battle forest fires. “Weather conditions remain particularly unfavourable,” he said on social media platform X.
Meteo-France, the national weather agency, has forecast a new spell of elevated temperatures next week, though they are not expected to be as extreme as in June.
The ongoing situation has drawn criticism from some French politicians, who have denounced what they describe as inadequate government measures to address rising temperatures. On Thursday, the Green party filed a no-confidence motion against the government.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents and visitors to follow safety protocols.
