A wildfire near Trévillach in the Pyrenees-Orientales department of southern France has burned between 1,500 and more than 4,600 hectares, forcing the evacuation of about 10,000 to 10,500 people. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] Officials closed the main road to the Tour de France stage three route and urged the public to avoid the last 40 kilometers near the fire’s edge. [5] Tour race director Christian Prudhomme said, "An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour. We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site." The stage will proceed on July 6 without spectators near the fire area. [1, 8, 9, 4]
The wildfire that started July 4 has a fire front approximately 18 kilometers long. [2, 3] Some 750 firefighters, supported by 200 vehicles and nine water-bombing helicopters, are working to contain it. [2, 3, 5] Two people, including one firefighter, are in critical condition due to the fire. [2, 3, 5] Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, "This morning conditions are deteriorating again. Today the battle resumes." [1]
Local residents described the rapid spread of the blaze. Patrice, a Trévillach resident, said, "The fire came within 300 metres of the houses. We were shocked by how fast it spread, it was staggering – bordering on panic." [1] Another evacuee, Charlotte Pignol, recalled being ordered to leave at 1 a.m., noting, "There were fire trucks everywhere, and the smell of smoke was overwhelming." [7] Regional prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe said the Tour stage from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France—covering 195.9 kilometers—would be "a stage of the Tour de France without spectators." [4, 1, 8, 9]
Neighboring Catalonia, Spain, also faces wildfire challenges. A fire in Les Gavarres natural reserve burned about 2,200 hectares and was stabilized but remained dangerous due to heat and smoke. Authorities arrested a suspect accused of starting the Spanish fire by using a circular saw that sparked the flames. [1, 2, 3]
The region remains in a heatwave with temperatures reaching 40°C, increasing the risk and severity of wildfires. [1, 3, 4, 7]
Race organizers plan to minimize team vehicles on the route to allow clearing for emergency responders. [1, 8] Officials will finalize the status of the Tour de France stage no later than July 5. Meanwhile, firefighters continue battling the blaze and residents remain evacuated as containment efforts proceed. [2, 3, 5]
