FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – A massive forest fire in southern France, described as the country’s worst since 1949, has been brought under control, local authorities said Thursday.
The blaze erupted Tuesday afternoon in the Aude region near the Spanish border and scorched more than 17,000 hectares (about 165 square kilometers) of land — an area larger than the city of Paris.
One person, a 65-year-old woman who refused evacuation, was killed in her home, and 13 others were injured, including 11 firefighters.
More than 2,000 firefighters and hundreds of vehicles were deployed to battle the flames, supported by Canadair aircraft and helicopters.
Officials say the fire’s progress has slowed, though hotspots remain and aerial firefighting operations continue.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou called the fire a “catastrophe on an unprecedented scale,” linking its intensity to climate change.
The region has faced three consecutive years of drought, and strong winds and dry vegetation fueled the fire’s rapid spread.
The blaze destroyed at least 36 homes and 35 vehicles, and left over 2,500 households without electricity.
Evacuated residents have not yet been allowed to return, as authorities warn conditions could still worsen.