Wave of wildfires in Southern France: fire in Eastern Pyrenees triples in size, 10,000 people evacuated, Tour de France stage held without spectators

A rapidly spreading forest fire in the "Eastern Pyrenees" department in Southern France has covered over "4,600 hectares" of land and forced about "10,000 people" to leave their homes. The fire is raging against the backdrop of an intense heatwave that has gripped much of southwestern Europe and remains out of control despite the significant resources mobilized.

Fire triples in hours, hundreds of firefighters on the ground

The fire broke out near the commune of "Trévillach" at the foot of the French Pyrenees and, according to authorities, was not under control as of Sunday. Since the early hours of Sunday, the area of the fire has almost "tripled" under the influence of "strong winds" and "abnormally dry conditions".

To fight the flames, about "750 firefighters", "200 units of equipment", and "nine water-bombing aircraft" have been mobilized, conducting aerial firefighting over the most affected areas. The national meteorological service "Météo‑France" has warned of an approaching heatwave combined with "localized strong winds" in the Mediterranean regions, which creates a "high to very high" risk of new forest fires.

At the moment, there are no reports of fatalities, but "two injured" individuals – a firefighter and a local resident – are in "critical condition" after being affected by the inferno.

"Tour de France" forced to take place without an audience in France

The forest fire also had a direct impact on the world's most famous cycling race. The organizers of the "Tour de France" were forced to make an unprecedented decision for the third stage of the 2026 race along the "Granollers – Les Angles" route, which passes about "60 kilometers" from the fire source.

On Monday, the stage did take place, but "without spectators" along the French part of the route. "This exceptional decision was made in order to reduce the burden on the department, ensure the safety of all people, and allow firefighters, law enforcement officers, and all involved services to focus all their efforts on fighting the fire," said a statement from the prefecture of the Eastern Pyrenees, published on Sunday evening.

The tour's advertising caravan was also excluded from the French section – only the competitors and the necessary vehicles and motorcycles associated with the organization of the stage were allowed on the route.

Fires throughout Southern Europe

The French fire is part of a wider "wave of forest fires" that is devastating the southern part of the continent. A total of "six countries" are affected by fire – fire hotspots have been registered in "Portugal, Greece, Spain" and in the "Balkans" at the height of the summer tourist season.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, in "Spain" alone in 2026, fire has destroyed almost "50,000 hectares" of forest. In the affected regions, "hundreds of firefighters" are fighting the flames, which have already incinerated over "19,000 hectares" of land and continue to spread due to high temperatures and strong winds.

Authorities: the stage will take place, but without an audience

Prefect "Pierre Regnault de la Motte" told journalists: "I regret to inform you of this — the 'Tour de France' stage will go ahead, at least in France, without spectators." He emphasized that the priority is the safety of the population and ensuring maximum resources are available to fight the fire, which necessitates a temporary restriction on mass events in the area.

While the cyclists continue the race on routes partially closed to the public, thousands of residents of the Eastern Pyrenees remain evacuated, and firefighters and emergency services are waging a difficult battle to limit the damage from yet another severe fire crisis in Southern Europe.