Major wildfire in southern France burns 900 hectares; evacuees reach shelters
A large wildfire in France's Aude department has scorched 900 hectares, with nearly 700 firefighters and aircraft deployed. A separate fire in Pyrénées-Orientales damaged a campsite.
Firefighters in southern France are battling a major wildfire in the Aude department that has burned approximately 900 hectares of land. Thick smoke billows over the area as aircraft drop red fire retardant and helicopters fly through the smoke above the fire zone. The blaze threatens nearby homes, prompting a large emergency response.
Around 690 firefighters have been deployed to contain the flames, supported by Dash aircraft, Canadair planes, and Dragon helicopters. Aerial resources are dropping fire retardant and water to slow the spread of the fire.
Separately, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, a different wildfire has damaged a campsite. Footage shows charred vegetation and destroyed mobile homes. Evacuees from the campsite have arrived at a shelter in Canet-en-Roussillon, carrying only a few belongings after being forced to leave.
