Deadly Wildfire in France Contained After Raging for Days
A massive wildfire, the largest in France in decades, has been contained after burning for several days in the Aude department. The fire, which started on Tuesday, August 5, has had a significant impact on the region.
The blaze consumed over 17,000 hectares (approximately 42,000 acres), an area larger than the city of Paris.
One fatality has been confirmed: a 65-year-old woman who died in her home after refusing to evacuate.
Thirteen people were injured, including 11 firefighters, as they worked to control the fire.
More than 2,000 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze. While authorities have declared it "contained," they caution that it is not yet "extinguished" and will likely continue to smolder for several more days.
Driven by strong, unpredictable winds, the fire spread rapidly, initially consuming about 1,000 hectares per hour.
Around 2,000 residents were evacuated from their homes, and many are still awaiting permission to return.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou has described the event as a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale," citing climate change and drought as contributing factors.
