One dead, nine injured in huge wildfire in southern France

LAGRASSE, France - Hundreds of firefighters on Aug 6 battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in southern France that has scorched a vast area, killed one person and injured nine others.

The blaze, which started on the afternoon of Aug 5, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the Aude region, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer.

“The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable,” said Ms Lucie Roesch, secretary-general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds.

An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to Aude prefecture.

Seven firefighters have also been injured by smoke inhalation.

The fire has burned some 15,000ha of land in less than 24 hours.

“The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress,” Ms Roesch said.

Planes were dropping water on the flames but Ms Roesch warned “this fire will keep us busy for several days. It’s a long-term operation”.

Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed.

Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed.

“I left everything behind me,” said Mr David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home.

“I’m putting it into perspective. I only have material damage,” said Mr Cerdan, who lived near the victim.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau were to visit the Aude department on Aug 6.

An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, said local officials.

The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along its Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service.

“All of the nation’s resources are mobilised,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on social media platform X, while calling on people to exercise “the utmost caution”.

The Aude department has seen an increase in areas burned in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which used to help break the progression of fires.

People as far as 30km away from the fire have felt its impact.

“The air is suffocating...the smell of burning has seeped into homes,” said Mr Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle.

The frequency of wildfires is taking a toll on local residents, said Ms Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan.

“I find it tragic to see so many fires since the beginning of the summer,” she said. “It’s terrible for the wildlife, the flora, and for the people who are losing everything.” AFP