France Faces Wildfires After Heatwave, Nearly 3,000 Evacuated in South

(CNA France Canet-en-Roussillon, July 2nd, Foreign News) Following a record-breaking heatwave last month, southern France is now battling wildfires, forcing nearly 3,000 people to evacuate on July 2nd. Half of those evacuated were from campsites, and authorities have deployed a large number of personnel and helicopters to assist in firefighting efforts.

According to AFP, wildfires broke out in Sainte-Marie-la-Mer in southern France on July 2nd and spread to Canet-en-Roussillon, forcing the emergency evacuation of tourists and residents.

Firefighters stated that half of the nearly 3,000 people evacuated were from three campsites in the affected area.

Pierre Regnault de La Mothe, the prefect of the Pyrenees-Orientales department in southern France, reported that two firefighters sustained minor injuries.

A total of 200 firefighters and 4 firefighting aircraft were mobilized to combat the blaze.

"We are mobilizing a large volunteer network to assist," said the top local official.

France experienced a record-breaking 11-day heatwave in June, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many areas.

The World Meteorological Organization stated last week that this unusual heatwave had not only caused "significant impacts" on human health, ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure but also exacerbated the risk of wildfires.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 1,200 firefighters had been mobilized to extinguish forest fires since July 1st. He stated on X, "The weather conditions remain very unfavorable."

Meteo-France indicated that a new wave of high temperatures is expected to hit France next week, but it is not anticipated to be as extreme as the June heatwave.

Some politicians have criticized the authorities' insufficient response to rising temperatures. The Green Party also filed a motion of no confidence against the government on July 2nd. (Compiled by Qu Xiangping) 1150703

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