Wildfires in southern France burn 800 hectares; about 200 residents evacuated

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, wildfires in France’s southwestern Aude department and neighboring Herault have burned about 800 hectares, with hundreds of firefighters working on July 2 to contain the blazes. Authorities deployed water-bombing aircraft because the mountainous fire zone lacks access roads, and Aude officials said strong winds and unfavorable weather conditions were hampering efforts, prompting the evacuation of about 200 residents. Separately, another wildfire in the southern Lançon area was brought under control. France’s weather service warned of a possible return of extreme heat next week, while health authorities estimated a previous heatwave may have caused about 1,000 deaths nationwide.