10,000 evacuated as wildfire rages across southwest France

Around 10,000 people have been evacuated from two dozen towns and villages in southwestern France near the Spanish border as a major wildfire continues to spread, with strong winds making conditions increasingly difficult for firefighters.

The blaze has consumed around 4,600 hectares in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, according to local authorities.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that weather conditions were deteriorating and that firefighting crews faced another difficult day.

“This morning conditions are deteriorating again,” he said. “Today the battle resumes.”

Officials expect strong winds to accelerate the spread of the fire, further complicating containment efforts.

Heatwaves fuel severe fire season

France has experienced repeated early summer heatwaves in recent months, leaving vegetation exceptionally dry and increasing the risk of major wildfires across the country.

The current blaze is one of the most significant to affect southern France this year.

Tour de France stage affected

The wildfire is burning close to the route of the third stage of the Tour de France.

While organisers confirmed the race would continue as scheduled, local authorities have closed public access to the stage to ensure emergency vehicles can move freely.

Officials also said the convoy of team support vehicles accompanying the race would be reduced to minimise disruption.

Fires also burn across Spain

Across the border in Spain, a separate wildfire has burned around 2,200 hectares, most of it within the protected Les Gavarres natural area in Catalonia.

Regional authorities said the blaze had been stabilised and were expecting it to be fully extinguished later this week.

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Police have arrested an employee of a government contractor suspected of accidentally starting the fire while using an angle grinder beside a road.

Further south, another wildfire in Spain's Castellón province forced the evacuation of around 500 people after flames spread into the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park, an area known for its extensive cork oak forests.

Emergency services in both France and Spain remain on high alert as hot and dry conditions persist across south-western Europe.

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