About 1,400 firefighters are working tirelessly in France’s southern Aude region to prevent the re-ignition of the country’s largest wildfire in nearly 80 years, which scorched over 17,000 hectares (66 square miles) of forests, vineyards, and villages in the Corbières hills.

Contained since Thursday, August 7, the blaze, which began on August 5 near Ribaute, has been described as a “catastrophe of unprecedented scale” by Prime Minister François Bayrou, who visited the affected area. Residents of 15 communes, including Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, were allowed to return home on Saturday, August 9, though a strict forest access ban remains in place to mitigate risks.

The fire, fueled by 60 km/h winds, dry Mediterranean vegetation, and a prolonged drought, claimed one life—a woman in Saint-Laurent who refused evacuation—and injured 25 others, including 19 firefighters, seven seriously. Over 36 homes were destroyed, 20 damaged, and 2,500 households remain without electricity due to fallen power lines. The Corbières wine region suffered devastating losses, with up to 900 hectares of vineyards burned, threatening 80% of the local crop.

Aude prefect Christian Pouget emphasized ongoing efforts to douse hotspots, with Colonel Christophe Magny, Aude fire department director, warning the fire may not be fully extinguished for weeks due to persistent “hot spots.” Meteo France’s “high vigilance” heatwave alert, with temperatures hitting 39°C (102°F) on Saturday, and forecasts of 40°C through Monday, complicates firefighting efforts. Nearly 2,000 personnel, supported by 500 additional firefighters, four Canadair planes, and water-dropping helicopters, remain deployed.

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The blaze, France’s largest since 1949, highlights the growing wildfire threat in Southern Europe, exacerbated by climate change, which scientists say intensifies heat and dryness. Recent X posts reflect local sentiment, noting the National Forestry Office’s daunting task of clearing 500,000 m³ of burned wood, a years-long effort. Farmers are advocating for maintaining vineyards as natural firebreaks to curb future fires. This disaster follows a summer of rampant wildfires across Portugal, Spain, and Greece, underscoring the region’s vulnerability.

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