Wildfires have broken out across southern France, forcing evacuations and stretching firefighting teams as the country prepares for the third heatwave of the summer, with the country's forests under increasing threat from climate change and disputes over logging.
Issued on: 02/07/2026 - 15:36Modified: 02/07/2026 - 15:38
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Firefighters were battling on Thursday to bring a major blaze in the Aude region, near the border with Spain, under control, after flames spread through dry vegetation in difficult conditions. Local authorities said weather conditions remained unfavourable, with high winds risking spreading the fire farther. The fire, which began on Wednesday, came days after a record-breaking heatwave across much of Europe and as France’s weather office warned that another spell of extreme heat could hit next week. French health authorities estimate last week's record temperatures may have caused 1,000 excess deaths. By late Wednesday, the blaze had covered 800 hectares. “The fire is contained at times, but it is not under control," the local prefecture reported at around 11pm. According to the Feux de Foret wildfire tracking site, posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "high temperatures and strong winds" are increasing the risk of fires spreading.
