{"id":8916,"date":"2025-06-10T21:59:32","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T19:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rivieraedition.com\/?p=8916"},"modified":"2025-08-10T00:02:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T22:02:55","slug":"canada-fires-affect-french-riviera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rivieraedition.com\/en\/canada-fires-affect-french-riviera\/","title":{"rendered":"UPDATE: Huge Wildfire in Southern France plus Canada’s Fires Cause French Riviera Air Quality to Drop"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article has been updated (Thursday 7 August 2025) to bring you the latest on the massive fire currently burning in south west France. It has already burned an area larger than the size of Paris, according to officials. (See video in the article.) UPDATE 09 August<\/a>, 8pm (20:00): The fire is under control! Nearly 90 km of firebreak edges remain to be treated. <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>Huge wildfire in southern France (7 August 2025)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A large wildfire is currently burning in South West France, reportedly the biggest fire in France since 1949. French President Emmanuel Macron has called the wildfire a “catastrophe”. The flames began just after 4pm on Tuesday (5 August) in the municipality of Ribaute (in Aude), not that far from Carcassonne, according to a statement<\/a> issued by the local prefecture. Thousands have been evacuated as the fire has already torn through more than 16,000 hectares (including vineyards), an area larger than Paris.<\/p>\n

Sadly an elderly woman has lost her life. Twenty-five have been injured, including a firefighter in critical condition. More than 36 homes have been destroyed 20 others damaged. (2,500 homes were left without power but this has been restored.) The fire also destroyed 18 hangars and 3 chalets, and 62 vehicles burned. (Numbers updated on 09 Aug.)<\/em><\/p>\n

At least 2,100 fire-fighters and 500 vehicles were on the scene, as well as personnel from the gendarmerie and the army. (As of 09 August, 20:00, there are still 1,300 firefighters deployed in the field.)<\/em><\/p>\n

The statement said that “130 aerial drops were carried out yesterday, including 55 by Canadair aircraft, 35 by Dash aircraft, and 40 by helicopters. More drops have already begun today and will continue throughout the day.<\/p>\n

“Thanks to this massive mobilization and more favorable weather conditions overnight (no wind and cooler temperatures), the spread of the fire has slowed. Residents of the affected municipalities are still being asked to stay indoors, unless specifically instructed to evacuate by firefighters.”<\/p>\n

People who have left their homes are urged to not attempt to return at this time.<\/p>\n

The prefecture says 17 emergency shelter centres have been set up in 17 municipalities, with a total capacity of 1,759 places. An emergency unit in Narbonne is also caring for victims “traumatized by the ongoing situation”.<\/p>\n

“The human toll so far includes one confirmed death, six civilians injured (one critically), and 19 injured firefighters\u2014one in critical condition,” said the statement. (Numbers updated 9 August.)<\/em><\/p>\n

WATCH: Deadly wildfire sweeps through southern France<\/h2>\n