Southwestern France grapples with an unparalleled wildfire causing severe damage and fatalities
A devastating wildfire has swept through the Corbieres hills, a Mediterranean region of France near the border to Spain, making it the largest fire in nearly 80 years. The blaze has engulfed more than 16,000 hectares, causing widespread destruction and forcing evacuations in several villages and campsites.
The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region. More than 2,100 firefighters, supported by 90 firefighting planes and 40 helicopters, are battling the wildfire around the clock to contain the blaze.
The tiny rural village of Jonquieres has been evacuated, with more than half or three-quarters of the village burning down. Jacques Piraux, the mayor of Jonquieres, described the scene as "sadness and desolation" and "a lunar landscape." An elderly woman has tragically lost her life in the wildfire, and at least one person is missing.
The A9 motorway, a major route for trucks traveling to and from southern Spain, was closed Tuesday into Wednesday but reopened Wednesday afternoon. The motorway experiences heavy traffic in the summer due to tourists traveling along the French and Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Unfortunately, higher temperatures and strong winds of more than 40 kilometers per hour forecast for Thursday will further dry out vegetation, making it difficult for firefighters to bring the flames under control.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called the fire a "catastrophe of unprecedented scale," and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has offered help to bring the fires under control. So far, nine firefighters have been injured, with 13 others injured, including two seriously, and two people hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition with severe burns.
Despite the challenges, some villages have fared better. Cerdan, a nearby village, only has material damage and is putting the situation into perspective.
As the wildfire continues to rage, residents and tourists alike are urged to stay informed and follow any evacuation orders issued by local authorities. The French government and European Union are working tirelessly to bring the wildfire under control and assist those affected by the disaster.
