Wildfire Chaos: 10,000 Evacuated in Southern France

Sun Sep 06 2026 12:58:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A massive blaze forced 10,000 residents out of the Pyrenees, while EU aircraft rush in – and the heatwave keeps menacing Reuters reports.

A wildfire near Perpignan scorched over 4,600 hectares, prompting the evacuation of more than 10,000 people in the French Pyrenees. Firefighters, aided by a firefighting plane and new EU aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden, are battling the flames as Spain’s national reserve suffers damage. The Tour de France stage is being rerouted to keep spectators safe. Scientists warn that the current heatwave, hotter than last month’s record, will drive further wildfires across Europe.

Wildfire Chaos: 10,000 Evacuated in Southern France

A massive wildfire near Perpignan has scorched 4,600 hectares, forcing 10,000 residents in the French Pyrenees to flee.

The blaze has spread in under 300 metres to nearby houses, drawing a firefighting plane, hand‑held fire retardant drops, and new EU aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden.

Spanish parks are affected too, with 2,200 hectares burned, while the Tour de France’s final 40 km is now a no‑go zone to protect racers and the public.

Scientists warn that today’s heatwave – hotter than last month’s record – may repeat, driving higher temperatures and more intense fires across Europe today and next week.

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