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

Perpignan – 06.07.2026: A major wildfire has been raging in northern Perpignan since the weekend, destroying around 4,600 hectares of vegetation and prompting large-scale evacuations, according to authorities. The Pyrénées-Orientales prefecture confirmed early Monday morning that several municipalities had been placed under preventive evacuation measures. In total, more than 10,000 people left their homes or were moved to safe areas. No injuries have been reported so far, but emergency services warned of ongoing danger due to changing winds and high temperatures.

According to reports, the fire broke out near Trévillach and spread rapidly due to dry ground and strong gusts of wind. At times, the fire front stretched for several kilometres. Hundreds of firefighters from the department and surrounding regions battled further spread overnight, supported by specialist units from Sécurité civile. In the morning, additional firefighting aircraft and helicopters were requested to cool difficult slopes and scrubland and contain remaining hotspots.

The prefecture urged residents to strictly observe cordons, keep access routes clear for emergency services, and leave emergency shelters only after consulting authorities. Several temporary shelters were set up, including in sports halls in affected municipalities. Power outages and road closures have occurred in some areas, and emergency services inspected damaged power lines and individual transport routes for safety on Monday morning. Schools near the fire zone were closed or provided emergency childcare.

Interior Minister Laurent Núñez announced that he would visit the site in the afternoon. Together with prefectural officials and fire service commanders, he is expected to discuss the situation and the need for additional support. The minister noted that the wildfire season nationwide has been far more severe than in the previous year. Authorities said protecting human life is the top priority, followed by checking the safety of buildings and infrastructure.

Professional road racing was also affected. The third stage of the Tour de France was partially rerouted due to smoke and road closures in the area. Organizers and the Gendarmerie coordinated diversions to keep lanes clear for emergency services. Spectators were urged to avoid the fire zone widely and not create additional hazards by parking on access roads. Depending on wind direction, further short-term changes may be necessary.

Meteorological authorities reported that dry conditions would persist over the coming hours, although winds are expected to weaken somewhat. Firefighters expect post-extinguishing work to be difficult and warned that hotspots could flare up again at any time. The prefecture plans to provide updates throughout the day on the evacuation situation, phased returns, and the condition of major roads.