Large fire between Aude and Hérault: 900 hectares burned, evacuations and aerial support

Pouzols-Minervois – 03.07.2026: At the border of the departments Aude and Hérault, emergency services have been fighting several vegetation fires since Wednesday evening. According to the prefecture, around 900 hectares of scrub and forest burned within 48 hours. Thick plumes of smoke lay over towns and country roads, and visibility was at times severely restricted. Authorities warned of local impacts on air quality and urged residents to follow official guidance.

The fire service describes the situation as highly dynamic. Several hundred personnel from both departments and from neighboring regions are operating in rotations. They are supported from the air by water-bombing aircraft of the Dash and Canadair types as well as by helicopters. At night, ground crews secured firebreaks and flanks to prevent the flames from spreading to populated areas. Individual roads were closed to make room for emergency vehicles and to ensure public safety.

As a precaution, campsites and weekend settlements were evacuated; hundreds of people left their accommodations. Municipalities set up emergency shelters and organized food, drinking water and initial psychological support. Exact information on damaged buildings was not available by the evening; authorities said they would provide an initial damage assessment only after the situation had stabilized. At the same time, farmers and businesses in the peripheral zones were informed about securing storage areas and farm buildings.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez traveled, according to official statements, to the affected region to coordinate with the operational commands of the Service départemental d’incendie et de secours (SDIS) and representatives of the prefectures. Fire officials pointed to particularly dry vegetation and warmer conditions that favored the spread of the fire. Météo-France had reported an increased forest and wildland fire risk in several departments; citizens were urged to strictly avoid open flames, flying sparks and parking on dry vegetation.

The public prosecutor’s office confirmed investigations into the cause of the fire. Both natural triggers such as lightning or flying sparks and human misconduct are being examined. Investigators did not name any concrete leads regarding possible perpetrators. Priority is the containment and securing of the affected peripheral areas; thereafter, fire lines and potential ignition sites will be systematically analyzed.

For the coming hours, the command teams expect shifting winds and rekindling hotspots. Residents near the operational sectors are asked to keep windows closed, follow the prefecture’s warning messages and strictly respect roadblocks. The forces aim to further stabilize fire fronts and prevent the blaze from jumping to forested areas near smaller towns.