Hundreds of firefighters battling wildfire in southern France amid improved weather conditions

Around 1,000 firefighters, supported by helicopters, worked to contain a wildfire approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Marseille on Friday. Officials reported that cooler temperatures and rising humidity had helped ease the situation.

The 240-hectare blaze erupted just a week after another fire reached the outskirts of Marseille, leading to evacuations, lockdowns, and the temporary closure of the city’s airport.

Pierre Bepoix, deputy director of the regional fire service, said 150 residents had been evacuated, but emergency crews successfully protected 150 homes and parts of the surrounding forest. He noted that the fire had spread rapidly through dense vegetation, complicating the firefighting effort, with the main focus being the safety of homes and lives.

Authorities stated that 120 homes were at risk and that it was too early to determine the extent of any damage. Two firefighters were reported injured.

Elsewhere, in Spain’s central Toledo province, a wildfire that broke out Thursday evening burned through 3,200 hectares of woodland and was visible from Madrid. Emergency services said the perimeter had been secured by Friday morning, though strong winds and high temperatures remained a concern.

Copied