Forest fire in Pyrénées-Orientales: around 4,600 hectares burned, tens of thousands evacuated — impact on the Tour de France

Perpignan – 06.07.2026: According to authorities, a large forest fire north of Perpignan has burned around 4,600 hectares of vegetation since the weekend and led to large-scale evacuations. The prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales department confirmed early Monday that several municipalities had been preventively evacuated. In total, more than 10,000 people were forced to leave their homes or moved to safe areas. No casualties have been reported so far, but emergency workers warned that changing wind directions and high temperatures continue to pose a danger.

According to initial reports, the fire is believed to have started in the Trévillach area and spread rapidly due to dry ground and strong gusts of wind. At times, the fire front stretched for several kilometers. Hundreds of firefighters from the department and neighboring regions worked overnight alongside specialized Sécurité civile teams to extinguish newly discovered fire spots. In the morning, firefighting aircraft and helicopters were deployed to cool hard-to-reach slopes and scrubland and contain ember zones.

The prefecture called on residents to strictly observe cordons, keep access routes clear for emergency convoys, and only leave shelters after consulting with authorities. Several temporary accommodation centers have been set up, including sports halls in affected towns. Power and roads are disrupted in some sections; emergency personnel inspected damaged lines and the safety of individual roads on Monday morning. Schools near the fire zone were closed or arranged emergency care.

Interior Minister Laurent Núñez announced that he would travel to the area in the afternoon for an on-site inspection. He said he would discuss the current situation and the need for additional support with the prefecture and fire service leadership. The minister noted that the forest fire season nationwide has been significantly more severe than last year. Authorities emphasized that protecting lives comes first, followed by efforts to secure buildings and infrastructure.

Professional cycling has also been affected: due to heavy smoke and road closures in some areas, the third stage of the Tour de France was adjusted. Organizers coordinated a rerouting with the Gendarmerie to ensure access for emergency convoys. Spectators were asked to stay away from the fire zone and avoid creating additional risks by parking on access roads. Depending on wind direction, further temporary adjustments may be necessary.

Meteorological services said conditions will remain dry over the coming hours, although winds are expected to weaken slightly. Fire services expect final extinguishing operations to be very difficult and warned that fire spots could reignite at any time. The prefecture will provide updates throughout the day on evacuations, phased returns, and the status of major access routes.