Large wildfires broke out across multiple regions of southern France on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of nearly 3,000 people and prompting the French government to establish an emergency crisis team. The fires have caused widespread disruption to communities, campgrounds, and transport links along the Mediterranean coast.
The most serious blaze erupted around 1:30 p.m. local time near Canet-en-Roussillon, a coastal resort municipality in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, situated east of Perpignan in France's southernmost region bordering Spain. The fire spread rapidly between Canet-en-Roussillon and the neighbouring commune of Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, near the mouth of the River Têt. Strong, dry northwesterly winds — a feature common to the region — have been pushing the flames in a southeasterly direction toward the marina area, complicating firefighting efforts. Eyewitnesses described the scene as "apocalyptic", with smoke columns visible for kilometres. Explosions were also reported by people in the area.
Three large camping complexes were among the hardest-hit sites. Le Brasilia and Homair-La Marina de Canet in Canet-en-Roussillon, as well as Homair La Sainte-Marie in the neighbouring commune, were evacuated, with local authorities describing them as "heavily affected by the flames." Around half of all evacuees had been staying at campgrounds in the area — significant given the height of the summer tourist season. Evacuees are being housed in schools and emergency reception centres. Authorities have urged residents not to go to the beach and have temporarily closed lifeguard posts to redirect all emergency personnel to firefighting. The airport in nearby Perpignan has cancelled several flights due to smoke from the fires.
France's Infrastructure Minister Laurent Nunen confirmed that 1,200 firefighters have been deployed since Wednesday, supported by water-bombing aircraft and helicopters. A government crisis team, led by Prime Minister Lecornu, has been convened to coordinate the national response. Beyond Pyrénées-Orientales, major fires are also burning in the neighbouring departments of Hérault and Aude, where nearly 900 hectares of natural land have been destroyed and around 250 people evacuated. Further fires broke out Wednesday evening near Rognac and Lançon-Provence, north of Marseille, burning at least 250 hectares. A separate blaze near Fréjus in the Var department destroyed around 30 hectares before being brought under control, with most of its 250 evacuees already allowed to return home.
The scale and simultaneity of the fires across southern France underscores the growing wildfire risk facing the Mediterranean region during summer heatwaves. With the Canet-en-Roussillon fire still uncontrolled and winds forecast to remain strong, authorities are warning that the situation could worsen before it improves, and are urging the public to avoid the affected areas and refrain from placing unnecessary calls to emergency services.