France’s Vast Wildfire to Continue Burning for Several Days, Authorities Warn

France’s Largest Wildfire in Decades to Continue Burning for Days, Officials Say.

France’s massive wildfire in the southern Aude region will keep burning for several more days despite being brought under control, authorities confirmed on Friday. The blaze has consumed over 17,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—resulting in one fatality, 13 injuries (including 11 firefighters), and the destruction of dozens of homes.

About 2,000 firefighters remain on duty to fully extinguish the fire, which was declared under control late Thursday. However, Christian Pouget, the prefect of Aude, warned it will take days before the fire is completely out. Access to the affected forests is banned until at least Sunday due to dangers like fallen power lines. Nearly 2,000 residents displaced by the fire remain unable to return to their homes and are staying in temporary shelters such as school gyms and village halls.

This wildfire is the biggest seen in France’s Mediterranean region in over 50 years. At its peak, flames spread at a rate of about 1,000 hectares per hour, fueled by strong, shifting winds that challenged firefighting efforts. A 65-year-old woman who refused to evacuate was found dead in her home.

Prime Minister François Bayrou called the fire an “unprecedented catastrophe,” linking it to climate change and drought. Environment Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher noted it is the largest wildfire in France since 1949. This summer, France has faced nearly 9,000 wildfires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast. The Aude region’s risk has worsened due to low rainfall and vineyard removal, which previously helped slow fires.

In the hardest-hit village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, smoke still rises over burning dry grass and pine hills. Across Europe, heatwaves are raising wildfire risks. Portugal extended emergency measures due to increased danger, and Spain controlled a major fire near Tarifa after evacuating over 1,500 people.

Spain is experiencing intense heat, with temperatures near 40°C and over 1,000 heat-related deaths reported in July. Climate experts warn that global warming is driving longer, more severe heatwaves, creating conditions that favor wildfires worldwide.