A wildfire larger than Paris has engulfed Southern France’s Aude region, killing one and injuring 13. The fire broke out Tuesday in the village of Ribaute
and has since consumed over 16,000 hectares. Authorities say the fire remains "very active" and continues to spread as night falls. Over 2,100 firefighters and aerial support teams are battling the inferno under severe weather conditions. The affected region, known for its wineries and rural landscape, is grappling with a disaster described by French Prime Minister François Bayrou as “unprecedented.” He visited Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse on Wednesday to offer national solidarity.
Evacuations Ordered As Flames Encircle Villages, Ash Fills The Skies
Eyewitnesses described surreal scenes of rapidly shifting skies and advancing flames. “The sky was blue, and then less than an hour later the sky was orange,” said Andy Pickup, a resident of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, to The Associated Press. “We could see the fires taking hold on all the hills around Saint-Laurent.”
Pickup added that loud cracks echoed through the night as trees and homes caught fire. Roads were closed, and ash rained down on homes and vehicles across the region. Locals tried to save homes and small businesses before evacuating under emergency orders.
Mayor Says Village Looks Like Lunar Landscape, PM Flags Economic Impact
The village of Jonquières has been completely evacuated, according to Mayor Jacques Piraux. Speaking to BFM TV, he said, “It’s a scene of sadness and desolation… More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down.” The mayor described it as “hellish.”
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed the military will join firefighting operations from Thursday. Several dozen troops will be deployed to assist emergency services on the ground. Two campgrounds were also evacuated as a precaution.
Climate Change, Drought Blamed As France Faces Worst Fire Since 2006
The Environment Ministry said the Aude region has faced a prolonged drought, with water restrictions already in place. "The vegetation is very dry," the ministry said, attributing the fire’s spread to a lack of rainfall. This fire is the largest since France’s national fire tracking system was established in 2006.
Experts say climate change is intensifying heatwaves and droughts, particularly across Southern Europe. “Consistently, the summers are getting hotter, there is less and less rain,” Pickup added. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service notes that Europe is warming at twice the global average.
