Wildfires Force Marseille Airport Closure, Thousands Evacuated

A large and fast-moving wildfire in southern France has forced the closure of Marseille Airport and the suspension of numerous flights, significantly impacting transportation and local communities. The fire, which began near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau and spread rapidly due to gale-force winds and dry vegetation after a prolonged heatwave, has consumed hundreds of hectares and is threatening the outskirts of Marseille. Authorities have deployed more than 700 firefighters, supported by helicopters and water-bombing planes, to combat the blaze, while evacuations have been ordered in nearby housing estates and precautionary measures advised for residents to avoid smoke inhalation. The fire has also disrupted rail services and led to road closures, including the temporary shutdown of the A9 highway connecting France and Spain. This wildfire is part of a larger pattern of increased forest fires in the region, which scientists attribute to human-induced climate change intensifying heatwaves and drought conditions. Despite significant firefighting efforts, the situation remains serious, with authorities closely monitoring the threat to France's second-largest city and its infrastructure.