Wildfire Forces 10,000 to Evacuate in Southern France Amid Heatwave

Sun Sep 06 2026 07:29:09 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Massive wildfire in the French Pyrenees drags out 10,000 residents, triggers emergency measures and pauses the Tour de France finish.

The wildfire that erupted in the foothills of the Pyrenees near Perpignan has scorched over 4,600 hectares and forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from dozens of villages. Strong winds and an intense early‑summer heatwave have turned Europe’s landscapes into tinder, prompting the French state to deploy aircraft and fire‑fighting teams. The blaze has halted the final kilometres of the Tour de France, with organisers requesting fans stay away from the finish line. International support arrived from Cyprus and Sweden, while neighbouring Spain and Catalonia also suffered forest losses. Scientists warn that rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves will make such disasters increasingly common across the continent.

Wildfire forces 10,000 to evacuate in southern France amid heatwave

A massive wildfire in the foothills of the French Pyrenees has forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from dozens of towns and villages. The blaze, first spotted near Perpignan, has consumed over 4,600 hectares of forest and threatens homes within a 300‑metre radius.

French authorities are responding with a full‑scale emergency operation that includes aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden, and a team of firefighters on the ground. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned that strong winds could fan the flames further, while local officials reported that the fire moved at an alarming speed.

The disaster has intersected with the Tour de France, prompting organisers to ask spectators to stay away from the final 40 kilometres of the third stage for safety reasons. The race, which ends in Les Angles, has been temporarily shelved for the finish area to allow emergency vehicles undisturbed access.

Across the border, the fire raged into Spain’s natural reserve of Les Gavarres, destroying more than 2,200 hectares, and a separate blaze forced 500 residents out of the Sierra de Espadan national park in Catalonia. The heatwave has already surpassed 40 °C in parts of Portugal and Spain, foreshadowing further wildfires.

Scientists note that Europe’s rapid warming—twice the global average—has increased the frequency of extreme heat events and fire risk. The current situation illustrates the urgency of addressing climate change and improving fire‑management strategies across the continent.