Southern France Wildfire Burns Area Larger Than Paris, Kills One

France is battling its largest wildfire this summer, which has rapidly spread across the Aude region near the Spanish border, burning over 13,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—and destroying numerous homes. The blaze has claimed one life and injured at least 13 people, including firefighters, with around 2,000 firefighters and multiple water bomber aircraft engaged in containment efforts amid hot, dry, and windy conditions exacerbated by a regional drought. Entire communities, including the village of Jonquières, have been evacuated due to the fire’s intensity, which has left vast areas resembling a 'lunar landscape.' French Prime Minister François Bayrou has visited the command post and met with firefighters and residents, while President Macron has mobilized national resources to tackle the fire. Authorities warn that the fire remains very active and difficult to control, with the potential for wind shifts posing further challenges. This wildfire season is proving catastrophic, driven by extreme drought and dry vegetation, with significant human, environmental, and economic impacts expected to continue.