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Raging Inferno Ravages Thousands of Hectares in Southern France, Forcing Evacuations
7 Aug
Summary
- Wildfire has scorched 16,000 hectares since Tuesday
- One person killed, three missing, two in critical condition
- Blaze fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation after months of drought
On August 7, 2025, a massive wildfire that has been burning through southern France since Tuesday has scorched over 16,000 hectares of forest and villages, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, which is France's biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades, has killed one person and destroyed dozens of homes.
Three people are currently missing, and two others, including a firefighter, are in critical condition, according to local authorities. Drone footage has revealed swathes of charred earth after the fire swept across an area one-and-a-half times the size of Paris.
The wildfire, located around 100 km from the border with Spain and not far from the Mediterranean Sea, has spread unusually rapidly, fueled by strong winds and very dry vegetation following months of drought in the region. While the fire is now advancing more slowly, Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has described it as the "most significant wildfire France has experienced since 1949."
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze, which they believe is a consequence of climate change and the prolonged drought in the area. With a new heatwave expected to hit southern France in the coming days, the fight to contain the raging inferno continues.
