One killed and thousands evacuated when France is spreading a forest fire

An elderly woman died, and another person went missing after a large -scale fire swept across southern France, destroying houses and forcing thousands to escape.

The woman died in her home, seven firefighters were also treated with smoke inhalation, and one person was still missing, the authorities said. Two people are in the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition.

On Tuesday, more than 13,000 hectares were burned near the village of La -Rybaut in Audde region (50 square meters.

More than 1800 firefighters with the support of 500 vehicles were deployed to the area.

The main victims of the villages are Lagras, Fabrezan, Turisan, Bush and St. Lauren de la-Kabaris.

Officials say the fire is rapidly moving, caused by strong wind, dry vegetation and hot summer weather.

Jacques Pirai, the Mayor of the village of Jonker, where at least four houses were burned, Le Monda said that about 80% of the village was burned.

“It’s dramatic. Its black, trees are completely burned,” he said.

Images show blackened, burned cars, and people were sitting on the beaches for three hours, where thick black clouds were still visible.

“This is an unprecedented catastrophe,” Firefighter press -secretary Eric Brokadi RTL said.

At least 25 houses were destroyed and more than 2500 households without electricity. Authorities closed roads across the region and warned that it was still too dangerous for the residents who fled on Tuesday night to return home.

President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for fire and local officials, saying that all state resources were mobilized. He urged residents to obey evacuation orders and make “maximum caution”.

It is expected that Prime Minister François Bayru will visit the injured area later on Wednesday.

Lucy Rosh, Secretary General of the Aude region, said the firefighters control the perimeter of the fire to prevent new outbreaks. She said, “The fire is moving in an area where all the conditions are ripe for progress.”

In recent years, the region has become increasingly vulnerable with the reduction of rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which once helped slow the spread of fires.

Despite the fact that the planes lowered the water bombs on the flames, Rosh warned that the fire “will make us take a few days. This is a long -term operation.”

The combination of low precipitation, high temperatures and the removal of vineyards – which once helped to act as natural firefighters – made to deteriorate the conditions of fire in the Aude.

Scientists have long warned that the hot and dry summer of the Mediterranean puts the region with a high risk of strong forest fires. According to the French emergency service, almost 15,000 hectares (57.9 square miles) were burned across the country by more than 9,000 separate fires this summer. Now the Aude Blaze is the vast majority of damage.