Southern France battles early-season wildfires as thousands of firefighters respond

Exceptional early-season wildfires are raging across the south of France, prompting the deployment of thousands of firefighters. The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, visited the Aude department where a blaze has burned roughly 900 hectares over two days. In the Pyrénées‑Orientales, the fire at Canet‑en‑Roussillon was contained, while the Pouzols‑Minervois blaze in the Aude has also been fixed. Authorities highlighted the unusually early start of the season, linking it to climate‑related heat and strong winds, and warned that most fires are of human origin.

Fire officials appealed for public cooperation, urging citizens to adopt safe behaviours to prevent new ignitions. The French fire service mobilised a fleet of 12 Canadair water‑dropping aircraft, eight Dash planes, ten bomb‑helicopters and several light bomber aircraft. Evacuations affected hundreds of tourists and residents, with some campsites and local businesses sustaining damage. The prefecture emphasized the need for continued vigilance and support for affected communities as the fire season progresses.