A significant wildfire in the Aude department of southern France has burned through approximately 11,000 hectares of vegetation, injuring nine individuals, according to local officials. The blaze ignited on Tuesday afternoon and has prompted a massive firefighting effort involving 1,500 firefighters who continue to battle the flames.
The fire’s progression has raised concerns as it threatens several nearby villages. Lucie Roesch, the secretary general of the Aude prefecture, stated, “The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress. We are monitoring the edges and the back of the fire to prevent flare-ups.” Firefighters reported that the fire’s advance slowed overnight due to elevated humidity levels, but Roesch cautioned that it would be a prolonged operation.
Aerial support is expected to be deployed at dawn to assist ground crews. “This fire will keep us busy for several days. It’s a long-term operation,” she emphasized. The prefecture confirmed that one person sustained serious burns while another was injured, along with seven firefighters who reported injuries during their efforts to control the blaze.
As a precaution, local authorities have partially evacuated camping grounds and one village, and several roads in the vicinity have been closed to ensure public safety. French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation on social media platform X, stating, “All of the Nation’s resources are mobilised,” while urging citizens to exercise “the utmost caution.”
The Aude department has experienced a troubling trend of increasing areas burned in recent years, exacerbated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards that previously acted as natural barriers to slow the spread of fires. The ongoing wildfire is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the need for effective management of natural resources in the region.
Local officials are committed to containing the fire as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of residents and firefighters involved in the operation. The community remains on alert as the situation develops, with hopes that the combined efforts of ground and aerial support will bring the blaze under control in the coming days.
