A major wildfire continues to rage across southern France after burning more than 11,000 acres (4,600 hectares) in the Pyrenees-Orientales department, forcing approximately 10,000 residents to evacuate overnight. Emergency crews remain engaged in a large-scale firefighting operation as authorities warn that strong winds, high temperatures, and dry conditions continue to fuel the fast-moving blaze.
Officials confirmed that several people suffered minor injuries while power outages affected nearby communities after the fire damaged critical infrastructure. Utility crews have been unable to safely restore electricity in some affected areas due to the ongoing emergency.
France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, warned that weather conditions are expected to worsen, increasing the likelihood of further wildfire spread. Seven departments have been placed under the highest wildfire alert, while dozens more remain under elevated fire risk warnings.
The latest disaster underscores the severity of France’s 2026 wildfire season. More than 27,000 acres have already burned nationwide this year—double the area affected during the same period in 2025. Multiple wildfire outbreaks have also been reported across southern France, highlighting the growing challenges posed by prolonged heat, drought, and increasingly volatile weather conditions.
Firefighters continue working to contain the blaze while emergency services focus on protecting communities, infrastructure, and natural landscapes from further destruction.
