Wildfire in southern France burns 4,500 hectares, forces 10,000 evacuations and alters Tour de France stage
A fast-moving wildfire in the Pyrénées-Orientales has burned 4,500 hectares and prompted the evacuation of 10,000 people, while the Tour de France's third stage will be held without spectators.
Fire outbreak and rapid spread
The fire started on Saturday evening, 4 July, near Trévillach in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, about 35 kilometres from Perpignan. Fanned by strong winds, drought and temperatures around 38°C, it spread quickly through difficult, mountainous terrain. By Sunday morning, 1,650 hectares had burned and the fire line stretched 18 kilometres. By Monday, the burned area had grown to 4,500 hectares, according to local authorities.
Evacuations and emergency response
Around 10,000 people have been evacuated from Ille-sur-Têt and more than 20 municipalities in the Aspres massif. Earlier, 5,000 residents were moved from the massif des Aspres, and 3,000 were evacuated on Thursday from coastal areas near Sainte-Marie-la-Mer and Canet-en-Roussillon. Some 700 firefighters, supported by 200 vehicles and about 10 water-bombing aircraft, are battling the blaze. Two people, a resident and a firefighter, are in life-threatening condition. The A9 motorway towards Spain has been closed in both directions.
We are almost a month ahead of schedule. Nine out of ten wildfires are caused by human activity.
Tour de France stage altered
The third stage of the Tour de France, which was to run from Granollers in Spain to Les Angles in France on Monday, has been adapted. No spectators will be allowed on the French part of the route, and the publicity caravan will not run. Organisers said only riders and essential race vehicles will pass through. The finish in Les Angles remains, but authorities urged the public to stay away.
Heatwave and climate warnings
France is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40°C in Perpignan. Fire commander Eric Belgioino warned that climate change is making fire seasons longer and more intense.
Climate change is a fact, we are experiencing its consequences and it is only the beginning of July. The season will be long for firefighters. You must help us.
Fires across the region
Wildfires are also burning in Spain and Portugal. A fire at Costa Brava that destroyed 2,400 hectares is now under control, though 16,000 people remain under lockdown. In Spain, 56,496 hectares have burned since March. In Portugal, six fires were active on Friday, prompting requests for assistance from Spain and Morocco.
- Fire breaks out near Trévillach, 35 km from Perpignan.
- Fire grows to 1,650 hectares; 5,000 evacuated from Aspres massif.
- Tour de France organisers announce stage 3 will run without public or publicity caravan.
- Evacuations expand to 10,000; burned area reaches 4,500 hectares.
- Fire still raging; A9 motorway closed; 700 firefighters continue battle.
