Major wildfire in Pyrénées-Orientales: Interior Minister Nuñez on site, thousands evacuated

Ille-sur-Têt – 07.07.2026: A large-scale forest fire has been burning in the Pyrénées-Orientales since the weekend, which, according to the prefecture, has affected several thousand hectares of vegetation. Thousands of people had to leave their homes as a precaution. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez traveled to the region on Monday and spoke of a situation that is “not fully under control.” According to current information, around a dozen people, including firefighters, were slightly injured.

The fire broke out in the area of the Massif de l’Aspre near Ille-sur-Têt and spread rapidly due to gusts of wind and sustained heat. Units of SDIS 66 are receiving support from firefighting units deployed nationwide, the gendarmerie and civil protection. Additionally, firefighting planes and helicopters are operating under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Water tenders were repositioned to critical flanks, but steep terrain at the foot of the Canigou is making ground operations considerably more difficult.

Authorities closed several departmental roads, prohibited outings into particularly vulnerable forests and set up emergency shelters. Evacuations are being carried out in stages and in coordination with the mayor’s offices of the affected municipalities. The prefecture calls on people to strictly follow instructions from rescue services and to respect return bans as long as smoldering hotspots and falling trees pose a risk. Energy and water suppliers are working with the incident command to secure critical infrastructure.

Effects are also being felt at major events: For the Tour de France stage finishing in Les Angles, spectator zones were reduced and access routes restricted to keep emergency lanes clear. Organizers and the prefecture emphasize that further adjustments may be made at short notice if the wind or the fire front changes.

The early and intense fire activity is fueling debate about prevention, forest management and equipment. The government coordinated an interdepartmental situation assessment; additional funds for aerial fleets, training and preventive measures such as firebreaks and clearing are in focus. Experts point out that desiccated vegetation and high temperatures increase the risk of large-scale fires. Municipalities are working with forestry and civil protection services to check access routes, water extraction points and alert chains.

The situation remains dynamic and highly dependent on the weather. Official information channels of the prefecture and the interior ministry provide ongoing updates on evacuations, road closures and air quality. For residents near the fire zone: keep windows closed, avoid smoke, and use emergency numbers only for acute dangers. The aim of the incident command is to stabilize the fire front and prevent further spread into wooded slopes and populated areas.