Large wildfire forces evacuations in southern France
· RTE.ieFirefighters were battling to bring a wildfire in the Aude region of southern France under control, as the country grappled with the effects of Europe's recent heatwave.
The local administration for the Aude area, near the border with Spain, posted on X that weather conditions remained unfavourable because of high winds which risked fanning the flames.
Another wildfire had been brought under control in the Lancon area of southern France, the local fire brigade said.
France's weather office has said there could be another wave of extremely hot weather next week.
Conditions on the ground were difficult for firefighters, with no access routes in the hilly terrain. Water-dumping aircraft were being used.
Temperatures of around 30C combined with strong wind gusts drove the spread of the fire through low, very dry vegetation.
About 200 people were evacuated or confined in the communes of Pouzols-Minervois and Mailhac, officials said.
Two smaller blazes broke out in Rognac and Lançon-Provence near Marseille, according to local firefighters.