Wildfires in southern France have forced 10,000 people to evacuate

Wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate in southern France as the country reels from a summer heat wave that has scorched much of Europe.

More than 10,000 people were ordered to leave more than a dozen small towns and villages in the foothills of the French Pyrenees near the border with Spain.

The fire in Trevilleach, near Perpignan, has burned at least 4,600 hectares (11,366 acres), regional administrator Pierre Regnault de la Motte said in a post on X.

“The situation is deteriorating again this morning,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned on French TV channel TF1. Today, the battle continues.

Officials warned that high winds could further fuel the wildfires.

It came within 300 meters (984ft) of the houses. “We were shocked at how quickly it spread, it was shocking,” Patrice told the AFP news service from Trevillach, which borders the border.

Spectators of the Tour de France have been urged to avoid Monday’s third cycling race.

The third stage, 195.9 km (121 mi) long, starts in the Spanish city of Granollers and ends in Les Angles in the Pyrenees-Orientales region of France.

Tour organizers have asked fans and non-essential workers to stay away from the final 40km and said the motorcade of the group vehicles below will now be kept to a minimum.

“A special fire requires special measures for the Tour,” said race director Christian Prudhomme. “We invite the public not to come to the end of the race or the final place.”