France Battles Deadliest Wildfire in 76 Years, Thousands Fight Expanding Blaze

A massive wildfire in southern France's Occitania region, the worst since 1949, has burned over 16,000 hectares and led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. The fire, which began near the village of La Ribaute, has caused the death of an elderly woman and injured multiple firefighters and civilians, with at least 25 homes damaged. Despite efforts by more than 2,000 firefighters and the use of aerial resources, the fire remains active and difficult to contain due to challenging terrain and shifting winds. French Prime Minister François Bayrou has described the blaze as a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale" and is expected to visit the affected area. Investigations into the fire's origins are ongoing, with authorities seeking witnesses to suspicious activity near the initial ignition point. Meanwhile, concerns are rising about Europe's aging firefighting aircraft fleet, which may hamper future wildfire responses amid increasing climate threats, as France and other nations rely on decades-old equipment that is becoming less effective and harder to maintain.