The south of France is engulfed in a massive wildfire, leading to devastation described by Prime Minister François Bayrou as a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale." As flames engulf an area larger than Paris, the Aude region is particularly hard hit. Bayrou attributes the disaster to climate change and persistent drought conditions.
The wildfire, which began near the village of Ribaute, has already claimed the life of an elderly woman and left another person missing, while 2,150 firefighters are still battling the blaze that has scorched over 15,000 hectares (58 square miles). The inferno has injured at least 13 individuals, making this the worst wildfire in France since 1949.
Firefighters are fighting the flames using water-bombing aircraft, but authorities warn that the fire is likely to persist for several more days due to extreme conditions like rising temperatures and strong winds. Many affected villages, including Lagrasse and Fabrezan, have been severely damaged, with 25 homes destroyed and over 2,500 households left without electricity.
Residents are being urged to stay away, and 17 temporary accommodations have been established for those displaced. Images depict charred landscapes, and the smoke plume from the fire is visible from outer space. As the situation worsens, President Emmanuel Macron has mobilized national resources and called for caution among residents.
With nearly 15,000 hectares burned in total across France this summer, the Aude wildfire represents a significant portion of the nation's summer damage. Local officials emphasize the urgent need for awareness and preparedness as climate-change-driven conditions continue to fuel these disasters.
The wildfire, which began near the village of Ribaute, has already claimed the life of an elderly woman and left another person missing, while 2,150 firefighters are still battling the blaze that has scorched over 15,000 hectares (58 square miles). The inferno has injured at least 13 individuals, making this the worst wildfire in France since 1949.
Firefighters are fighting the flames using water-bombing aircraft, but authorities warn that the fire is likely to persist for several more days due to extreme conditions like rising temperatures and strong winds. Many affected villages, including Lagrasse and Fabrezan, have been severely damaged, with 25 homes destroyed and over 2,500 households left without electricity.
Residents are being urged to stay away, and 17 temporary accommodations have been established for those displaced. Images depict charred landscapes, and the smoke plume from the fire is visible from outer space. As the situation worsens, President Emmanuel Macron has mobilized national resources and called for caution among residents.
With nearly 15,000 hectares burned in total across France this summer, the Aude wildfire represents a significant portion of the nation's summer damage. Local officials emphasize the urgent need for awareness and preparedness as climate-change-driven conditions continue to fuel these disasters.
