Overview

• The blaze has scorched over 16,000 hectares across fifteen communes, destroying or damaging 25 homes and incinerating 35 vehicles.
• A 65-year-old woman who refused evacuation orders was found dead, and 13 others—including two with serious burns—have been treated for injuries.
• Some 2,500 firefighters remain on the ground with Canadairs, Dash aircraft, helicopters and pending military reinforcements as meteorological conditions improve.
• The A9 motorway has reopened after its temporary closure, but precautionary evacuations and localized power cuts continue to protect residents.
• The Carcassonne prosecutor’s office has launched an inquiry into the fire’s unknown origin, and the European Union stands ready to deploy additional firefighting support.