A fire in Occitania has affected more than 8,000 hectares and left a cloud of smoke visible from the Empordà region.

BarcelonaA forest fire is burning violently in Occitania. The blaze in Ribauta, a town located between Narbonne and Carcassonne, affects approximately 8,200 hectares and has forced the closure of the D212 road between this town and Fabresan, according to the Aude Department this morning. Local media report that there is at least one person injured in critical condition due to burns and that more than 1,200 firefighters have been dispatched to the area. "All the nation's resources are being mobilized," said French President Emmanuel Macron. The flames have caused a large cloud of smoke visible even from the Empordà region, especially in the Cap de Creus area.

At this point, the north wind, blowing strongly in the area, could be the greatest obstacle for firefighters in stabilizing the blazes. However, forecasts suggest the wind could ease later in the evening, which would help slow the spread of the fire. The flames are affecting a wooded area hit hard by drought, on steep terrain. The main municipalities threatened by the fire are Saint-Laurent, Coustouge, Lagrasse, Fabrezan, and Tournissan. In fact, the latter three have been evacuated as a precaution.

Macron has also expressed his support for the firefighters through his X profile, as well as calling for "prudence and respect for the instructions of the authorities." Since the beginning of summer, several fires have already affected Aude, including one measuring 2,000 hectares in July, the largest since 1986. The cause of the fire, which occurred in the only department that was on red alert for fires during the current heat wave that affected the south, is currently unknown.

Two fires in the Spanish state

In addition, two new fires have forced the evacuation of numerous people in Spain. Specifically, one in Tarifa, Cádiz, mobilized 5,000 vehicles from hotels and campsites near the area affected by the flames. The other fire, in Ponteceso, A Coruña, forced the evacuation of two parishes: Corme Aldea and Guxín.