Forest Fire in Southern France: Thousands Evacuated, Third Tour de France Stage Adjusted

Emergency services are battling the flames under extreme conditions. The national weather service Météo France warned of a high forest fire risk across the entire region on Monday. In total, the highest warning level, red, was issued for seven departments in southeastern France, while an elevated forest fire warning was in place for a further 41 departments.

Additional fires in the Gard department

The fire in the Pyrénées-Orientales is part of a larger wave of forest and vegetation blazes affecting several regions of France simultaneously. Forests are also burning in the neighboring Gard department: between Avignon and Nîmes, a section of the A9 motorway toward Spain had to be closed after a fire broke out in the municipality of Lédenon.

Tour de France adjusts third stage

The third stage of the Tour de France, which was scheduled to pass through the affected region on Monday, has been adjusted due to the fire. As the organizers announced, the stage will take place without spectators along the route and without the advertising caravan. This is intended to prevent onlookers from gathering in the already strained operational areas.

The weather conditions are further aggravating the situation: a new heat wave has begun in France and is driving up the forest fire risk across large parts of the country. Météo France expects the extreme conditions to persist at least until Monday.

Heat wave worsens the situation

The authorities called on residents in the affected areas to follow the instructions of the emergency services and not to enter the designated exclusion zones. Emergency shelters were set up in schools and sports halls in the surrounding area.

France's forest fire season has intensified noticeably in recent years due to climate change. The combination of persistent drought, high temperatures, and strong winds is making it increasingly difficult for fire services to combat such major blazes.