One dead and thousands evacuated as wildfire spreads in France

An old woman died, and after a large forest fire was swept in some parts of Southern France and destroyed the houses and forcing thousands of people to escape, another person is lost.

Authorities said that the woman died in her house, that seven firefighters were treated due to the inhalation of smoke and that a person is still missing. Two people are in the hospital, one is critical.

On Tuesday, Blaze broke up near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region and burned more than 13,000 hectares (50 m2), which is already a larger area than Paris – made France’s largest forest fire this year.

More than 1,800 firefighters supported by 500 vehicles were deployed.

The affected main villages are Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Coustouge and Saint-laurent-de-la-la-Cabrerisse.

Authorities say that fire is moving rapidly with strong winds, dry vegetation and hot summer weather.

Jacques Piraud, the mayor of the village of Jonquières, where at least four houses burned, told Le Monde that about 80% of the village was burned.

“Dramatic. Black, trees are completely charged,” he said.

Images, darkened, burnt cars and people sitting on the beaches three hours away, thick black clouds are still visible.

Firefighter spokesman Eric Brocardi told Radl Radyo, “This is an unprecedented disaster,” he said.

At least 25 houses were destroyed and more than 2,500 households without electricity. Authorities closed the roads in the region and warned that it is still very dangerous for the residents who fled on Tuesday night.

President Emmanuel Macron said that all government resources were mobilized and expressed his support to firefighters and local authorities. The authority urged the residents to follow the evacuation orders and use them “the most careful”.

Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to visit the affected area on Wednesday.

The Secretary General of the Aude Region Lucie Rousch said that firefighters were watching the fire to prevent new outbreaks. He said: “The fire is moving in an area where all conditions mature to progress.”

The region has become increasingly vulnerable in recent years due to lower rainfall and grape bonds, which has once helped spread forest fires.

Despite the fact that the planes drop water bombs into the flames, RoSCH warned that the fire “will keep us busy for a few days. A long -term operation.”

Low rainfall, high temperatures and once a combination of grape bonds, which once helped act as natural fire -breakers, were made to deteriorate fire conditions in Aude.

Scientists have long been warned that the rising hot and dry summers of the Mediterranean for a long time have a high risk of violent forest fires. According to France’s emergency management service, approximately 15,000 hectares (57.9 miles square) were burned throughout the country with more than 9,000 separate fires this summer. Aude Blaze now explains the majority of the damage.