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One dead and thousands evacuated as wildfire spreads in France France wildfire: Blaze is 'catastrophe on an unprecedented scale'
(about 4 hours later)
Watch: Deadly wildfire spreads in southern FranceWatch: Deadly wildfire spreads in southern France
An elderly woman has died and another person is missing after a massive wildfire swept through parts of southern France, destroying homes and forcing thousands to flee. French Prime Minister François Bayrou says a huge, deadly wildfire sweeping through the south of France is a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale".
The woman died in her home, seven firefighters have also been treated for smoke inhalation and one person is still missing, authorities said. Two people are in hospital, one of whom is in a critical condition. He has been visiting the Aude region, where wildfires have scorched an area larger than Paris. Bayrou said the wildfire is linked to global warming and drought.
The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region, and has already burned more than 13,000 hectares (50 sq miles) - an area larger than Paris - making it the largest wildfire in France this year. One elderly woman has been and another person is missing as 2,150 firefighters continue to tackle the blaze, which has burnt 15,000 hectares (58 sq miles). At least 13 people have been injured, according to media reports.
More than 1,800 firefighters, supported by 500 vehicles, were deployed to the area. The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute. Officials say it is France's biggest wildfire since 1949.
The fire has destroyed an area bigger than Paris Firefighters supported by water-bombing aircraft are still battling the blaze, which the authorities have warned could rage for several more days.
"The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture told the AFP news agency, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds.
The main affected villages are Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Coustouge and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse.The main affected villages are Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Coustouge and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse.
Officials say the fire is advancing rapidly, driven by strong winds, dry vegetation and hot summer weather. The fire has destroyed an area bigger than Paris
Jacques Piraud, mayor of the village of Jonquières, where at least four houses burned, told Le Monde that around 80% of the village was burnt. The fire advanced rapidly, driven by strong winds, dry vegetation and hot summer weather, officials said.
Jacques Piraud, mayor of the village of Jonquières, where several houses burned down, told Le Monde that around 80% of the village was burnt.
"It's dramatic. Its black, the trees are completely charred," he said."It's dramatic. Its black, the trees are completely charred," he said.
Images show blackened, burnt out cars and people sitting on beaches three hours away where thick black clouds were still visible.Images show blackened, burnt out cars and people sitting on beaches three hours away where thick black clouds were still visible.
In satellite images shared by Météo-France, the plume of smoke released by the fire is visible from space.
"This is a disaster of unprecedented scale," firefighter spokesman Eric Brocardi told RTL radio."This is a disaster of unprecedented scale," firefighter spokesman Eric Brocardi told RTL radio.
At least 25 homes have been destroyed and more than 2,500 households are without electricity. Authorities have closed roads across the region and warned it is still too dangerous for residents who fled on Tuesday night to return home. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, and called on people to exercise "the utmost caution".
President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for firefighters and local officials on X, saying all government resources were being mobilised. He urged residents to follow evacuation orders and exercise "the utmost caution". At least 25 homes have been destroyed and more than 2,500 households are without electricity.
Tourists sit on the beach as smoke from the wildfires blocks out the sun. Some roads in the region have reopened to traffic, but residents who fled on Tuesday are still being warned to avoid returning home.
Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to visit the affected area later on Wednesday.
Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude area, said firefighters were monitoring the fire's perimeter to prevent new outbreaks. She said: "The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress."
The region has become increasingly vulnerable in recent years due to lower rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which once helped slow the spread of wildfires.
Despite planes dropping water bombs on the flames, Roesch warned the fire "will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation".
Trees burning during a wildfire, near Narbonne, southern FranceTrees burning during a wildfire, near Narbonne, southern France
A combination of low rainfall, high temperatures and the removal of vineyards - which once helped act as natural firebreaks - has made for worsening fire conditions in Aude. People as far as 30km (18 miles) away from the fire have reported feeling its impact.
Scientists have long warned that the Mediterranean's soaring hot and dry summers place the region at high risk of severe wildfires. According to France's emergency management service, nearly 15,000 hectares (57.9 square miles) have burned nationwide this summer in more than 9,000 separate fires. The Aude blaze now accounts for the vast majority of the damage. "The air is suffocating...the smell of burning has seeped into homes," Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle, told AFP.
The region has become increasingly vulnerable in recent years due to lower rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which once helped slow the spread of wildfires.
Scientists have long warned that the Mediterranean's soaring hot and dry summers place the region at high risk of severe wildfires.
According to France's emergency management service, nearly 15,000 hectares (57.9 square miles) have burned nationwide this summer in more than 9,000 separate fires. The Aude blaze now accounts for the same amount of damage as all the previous fires.
Have you been affected by the wildfires in France? If it safe to do so get in touch here.Have you been affected by the wildfires in France? If it safe to do so get in touch here.
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