Around 1,400 firefighters remained deployed Saturday in France’s southern Aude region to prevent the country’s largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Aude Prefect Christian Pouget said the fire, which burned over 160 square kilometers in the forested, wine-producing area, has been contained since Thursday. All roads have reopened, but authorities have imposed a strict ban on forest access, Pouget told a press conference.
“The fight continues; firefighters are still working to prevent re-ignition,” he said.
The blaze has claimed one life and injured 25 people, including 19 firefighters, Pouget added.
Rising temperatures in the coming days pose challenges for firefighting efforts.
France battles largest wildfire in yars, bigger than Paris
Col. Christophe Magny, director of the Aude firefighters department, said the fire is unlikely to be fully extinguished for weeks due to several active “hot spots” under close watch.
France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, issued a “high vigilance” heatwave alert for the southern half of the country, forecasting temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius in the Aude region on Saturday.
Southern Europe has faced numerous large fires this summer, with scientists warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat and drought, heightening wildfire risks.
Source: Agency