Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 3,000 People in Southern France

A fierce wildfire erupted near Saint-Andre, a commune in southern France’s Pyrenees-Orientales department, prompting the evacuation of over 3,000 individuals. The fire ignited around 5:15 p.m. on Monday, scorching around 530 hectares of land.

Local fire officials have stated that while the situation is showing signs of improvement, complete control over the fire has not been established yet. More than 500 firefighters, along with 13 planes and three helicopters, have been deployed to combat the blaze.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin provided this information, highlighting the extensive efforts to contain the fire’s spread. Notably, France witnessed the burning of 72,000 hectares of land due to wildfires in 2022.