MWE Correspondent
Firefighters in France have contained what officials describe as the largest wildfire to strike the country’s south in decades.
The blaze, which erupted earlier this week in the Aude department, has scorched more than 17,000 hectares (around 42,000 acres) of forests, fields, and rural communities.
Authorities confirmed on Thursday evening that the fire is now under control, though it will take several days before it can be officially declared extinguished. The inferno has claimed the life of one person and left 13 others injured, including both residents and rescue personnel.
Despite the progress, some 2,000 firefighters remain on the scene, supported by helicopters and water-bombing aircraft. Their mission now is to secure the perimeter, douse remaining hotspots, and prevent any flare-ups, especially as summer heat and wind could rekindle the flames.
Christian Pouget, the prefect of Aude, praised the tireless work of emergency services but stressed that “there is still a lot of work to be done.” He warned that the terrain remains hazardous, with smouldering embers hidden beneath the ashes and damaged infrastructure making access difficult.
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The wildfire has devastated vast swathes of agricultural land, vineyards, and wildlife habitats, prompting fears of long-term economic and environmental damage. Local farmers have reported losing crops and livestock, while conservationists say rare plant and animal species have suffered significant habitat loss.
Several villages were evacuated at the height of the crisis, with hundreds of residents seeking shelter in temporary accommodation. Authorities are now beginning to allow people to return home, though many will face weeks of cleanup and recovery.
Meteorologists have pointed to a combination of heatwaves, prolonged drought, and strong winds as the main factors behind the fire’s rapid spread. Climate experts warn that such extreme events are becoming more frequent in southern Europe, raising questions about preparedness and long-term fire prevention strategies.
The French government has pledged emergency aid to affected communities and announced plans to review firefighting resources, particularly in rural areas most at risk. Meanwhile, local leaders are urging national authorities to invest in better land management, including controlled burns and improved forest maintenance, to reduce the risk of future large-scale blazes.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring the fire is fully extinguished and that residents can safely rebuild their lives. But for many in Aude, the summer of 2025 will be remembered as a time when the land, the livelihoods, and the very air they breathed were consumed by one of the most destructive wildfires in living memory.
