A wildfire in Trévillach near Perpignan, southern France, has burned at least 4,600 hectares (11,366 acres) and forced the evacuation of over 10,000 people from more than a dozen small towns and villages in the foothills of the French Pyrenees near the Spanish border. Local prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe confirmed the extent of the fire in a post on X.

Authorities have warned that strong winds could worsen the wildfire, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noting on French TV that conditions were deteriorating again. The fire has prompted exceptional measures for the Tour de France, with race director Christian Prudhomme stating, "An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour." The third stage of the race, spanning 195.9 km (121 miles) from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles in the Pyrénées-Orientales region of France, will proceed without spectators at the finish line.

BBC Weather Lead Forecaster Matt Taylor said, "Although this heatwave is unlikely to break records in the way June's did, it will still be exceptional for the time of year." The early summer heatwave has already caused record temperatures, including a nationwide average high of 42°C on 24 June, and contributed to over 2,000 excess deaths in France.

Officials have urged the public to avoid the edges of the race route and finish site to ensure safety.

Sources