In the Pyrénées-Orientales department, around 1,650 hectares of land have burned. The prefecture ordered the evacuation of 5,000 people from a mountain massif west of Perpignan. A resident and a firefighter suffered life-threatening injuries, according to broadcaster BFMTV. The wind is fanning the flames, and dry, hot weather is favoring the spread.
The third stage of the Tour de France will pass through the affected region on Monday. Tour director Christian Prudhomme announced that the race will take place without spectators and the advertising caravan: “Extraordinary fire, extraordinary measure for the Tour.” He thanked fans in advance for their understanding. Already on Tuesday, the stage to Foix could reach temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez addressed the prefects of the departments along the route. In exceptional cases and in consultation with the organizer, cancellations are also possible. The state weather service Météo France warned of high fire danger for Monday. The highest red alert level was declared for seven departments in the southeast, while 41 other departments face high wildfire risk.
Source: www.spiegel.de
