France Battles Worst Wildfire Since 1949 as Heatwave Looms

 

France is grappling with its largest wildfire in nearly 80 years, as flames have consumed over 16,000 hectares in the southern Aude region, killing one person and leaving three others missing. The inferno, which erupted Tuesday near the Spanish border, has destroyed dozens of homes and pushed firefighting efforts to the brink.

Dramatic drone footage reveals vast stretches of scorched land, while plumes of smoke continue to billow from the forested terrain. A firefighter and another civilian remain in critical condition, as emergency crews work round-the-clock to bring the blaze under control.

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Officials say the fire is now spreading more slowly, but Environment Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher warned the battle is far from over. Scientists link the scale and speed of the fire to climate change, with hotter, drier summers increasing wildfire risks across the Mediterranean region.

Adding to the challenge, France’s national weather office has issued an alert for a new heatwave, expected to hit parts of southern France starting Friday and lasting several days  potentially worsening fire conditions.