Massive Wildfires Force Evacuation of 3,000 in Southern France Amid Heatwave

Around 3,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from southern France due to massive wildfires spreading near Montpellier and the Pyrenees. The fires broke out in the areas of Saint-Marie-de-la-Mer and Canet-en-Roussillon during an exceptional heatwave with record high temperatures. Approximately 2,000 firefighters are battling the blazes, supported by four helicopters and three firefighting planes on standby. The nearby Perpignan airport suspended operations as the fires raged.

At least 12 people sustained minor injuries, including a child and six firefighters. Local authorities warned tourists against swimming, as lifeguards were redeployed to assist firefighting efforts. Video footage from the affected areas showed heavy smoke over campsites, fleeing tourists, and burning buildings, yachts, and tents.

The departments of Aude and Var were particularly hard hit, with about 9,000 dunams (approximately 900 hectares) of land burned. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported nearly 7,000 wildfires since the start of summer, with tens of kilometers of land destroyed. Officials warned that rising temperatures and strengthening winds continue to fuel the fires. Last year, Aude experienced France's worst forest fire in decades.

The heatwave has also caused social unrest, with videos circulating of shoppers fighting over portable air conditioners in supermarkets. Temperatures are expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius over the weekend, exacerbating the fire risk.