A ferocious wildfire tore through southern France’s Aude region near the Spanish border, claiming one life, injuring nine, and scorching 11,000 hectares—roughly the size of Paris—in just 12 hours. The blaze, which erupted Tuesday afternoon in Ribaute village, remained “very active” on Wednesday, fueled by strong winds, extreme heat, and dry vegetation, according to local authorities.

Over 1,500 firefighters, backed by water-bomber planes, battled the flames overnight, with aerial support resuming at dawn. Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, warned, “This fire will keep us busy for several days,” citing favorable conditions for its spread. One woman perished in her home in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, and one person remains missing. Seven firefighters and two civilians, including one with severe burns, were injured.

The fire destroyed or damaged 25 homes, forced partial evacuations of villages like Tournissan and campsites in Lagrasse and Fabrezan, and closed the A9 motorway. President Emmanuel Macron stated on X that “all the nation’s resources are mobilized.” The Aude region’s vulnerability, worsened by drought and the loss of vineyard firebreaks, underscores the growing wildfire threat in Southern Europe, driven by climate change.

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