Southern France Battles Early Large Wildfires: Thousands Evacuated, Air Support in Continuous Operation

Perpignan – 07.07.2026: Forest and scrub fires continue in several departments of southern France, above all the Pyrénées-Orientales. According to authorities, the flames threaten wide areas; several thousand hectares have already burned and further areas are considered acutely at risk. On July 6 the prefecture ordered local evacuations; at times around 10,000 people were affected. Isolated injuries were reported, including firefighters who were seriously injured during extinguishing and securing operations.

Incident commands report multiple active fire fronts, repeatedly fanned by prolonged heat, pronounced dryness and strong gusts. Météo-France rated parts of the south as a high to very high wildfire risk. The terrain — shrubby, with stands of pine and maquis, partly hard to access — hampers ground attacks and promotes rapid fire spread.

On site, nationally coordinated forces of the SDIS and civil protection authorities are operating continuously. In some sectors up to 800 firefighters are working simultaneously, supported by water-bombing aircraft of the Canadair type and several firefighting helicopters. The air operations focus on stabilizing flanks and protecting built-up areas; on the ground teams are creating firebreaks, securing access routes and checking hotspots to prevent re-ignitions. In addition, road closures have been put in place, recreational areas closed and precautionary appeals renewed to residents and tourists.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez inspected the situation on July 6. He spoke of an unusually early and intense start to the season and announced plans to flexibly reinforce national resources and, if necessary, call in European assistance. Experts point to a risky combination of desiccated soils, strong Tramontane and Mistral winds and vegetation that is particularly vulnerable after previous storms and dry spells.

Infrastructure and events are also feeling the effects: sections of a Tour-de-France stage planned for July 6 were run without spectators or with altered routes to keep emergency access clear. Locally campsites were evacuated, power and mobile networks were temporarily disrupted and hiking trails closed. The prefectures advise strictly avoiding forest areas, not lighting open fires and keeping access routes clear.

In the short term the protection of lives and settlements takes precedence. In the medium term debates are emerging about prevention, forest management and additional firefighting resources — from better equipment and training to closer monitoring of particularly exposed zones. Authorities also stress that consistent caution by the public remains a central factor in preventing new fires and relieving emergency services.