The area affected by forest fires in southern France has reached 10,000 hectares, according to data provided by the authorities of the commune of Narbonne in the department of Aude.
The large forest fire started on Tuesday and spread over 2,500 hectares of forest in a matter of hours. Later, the fire spread to an even larger area.
More than 1,200 firefighters and 16 aircraft are involved in extinguishing the blaze. Two people were injured, one of them suffered burns and is in critical condition. According to the departmental authorities, seven firefighters were injured.
Due to the fire, more than 4,800 households were left without electricity, about 30 cars were burned, and eight residential buildings were affected by the flames.
The situation remains difficult due to strong winds. A red alert has been issued in the department.
Earlier in July, the country’s Interior Ministry reported that since the beginning of 2025, 16,000 hectares have been burned as a result of forest fires caused by severe heat.
Severe heat has hit a number of European countries this summer. Due to high temperatures, fires engulfed forests in Saxony and Thuringia, and Greek authorities had to evacuate residents of several cities due to the spread of the fires.
There were also powerful fires in southern France, causing the airport in Marseille to be closed. There were no casualties, but 110 people were injured, including about 30 firefighters and police officers.
Spain is also on high alert for fires – fires have been reported in the north of the country, and in Catalonia, the flames have destroyed three thousand hectares of vegetation.
