10,000 evacuated as wildfire spreads in southern France

Paris [France], July 7: Some 10,000 people have been evacuated from their communities due to a spreading wildfire in southern France, regional authorities said on Monday.
The prefecture of the Pyrenees-Orientales region said the evacuations took place in 26 communities in a mountain range west of the city of Perpignan. By Monday, the fire had burned through 4,600 hectares, fuelled by wind, intense heat and exceptionally low air humidity. A firefighter and a local resident were seriously injured.
The prefecture called on people in the affected region to keep roads completely clear for firefighters and to refrain from returning to their homes to retrieve belongings. Arrangements will be made to reduce the working hours of employees who cannot get to work. Regional rail services have been disrupted, and a train operating on a mountain route has ceased services.
The European Commission said four aircraft from Sweden and Cyprus were due to arrive in the affected areas of France later on Monday to assist with firefighting efforts. It said France had requested assistance on Sunday via the European Union's civil protection mechanism. "In the face of these devastating fires, Europe stands together. We are united in our determination to protect lives, communities, livelihoods and our natural environment," said EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.
Source: Qatar Tribune