In Aude, thousands remain evacuated as firefighters address a massive wildfire, declared under control yet still active. The fire has burned over 17,000 hectares, killing one person and injuring 13, including firefighters. Authorities have restricted access to affected areas due to hazards. Approximately 2,000 evacuees await clearance to return home, many sheltering in communal facilities. This fire is the largest in France's Mediterranean region in over 50 years, exacerbated by strong winds and drought conditions. Officials highlight the connection to climate change and unprecedented wildfire activity in recent months.
Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the wildfire as a catastrophe on an unprecedented scale, linking it to global warming and prolonged drought conditions affecting the region.
Officials indicated that the devastation is immense, with the fire scorching over 17,000 hectares, killing one individual, injuring thirteen others, and destroying multiple homes.
Aude's prefect Christian Pouget confirmed that around 2,000 firefighters are actively working to bring the flames under control, although access to affected forests remains restricted.
This wildfire is the largest in France's Mediterranean region in at least 50 years, marked by extreme behavior of flames responding to unpredictable weather conditions and severe drought.
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