Major wildfire burns over 13 000 ha (32 000 acres) in Aude, southern France, killing one and injuring nine

The wildfire started at around 16:15 local time (LT) on August 5 near the commune of Ribaute, in the Corbières massif, Aude department, southern France. Initial reports indicated about 4 000 ha (9 880 acres) had burned by 21:00 LT, expanding to 5 000 ha (12 360 acres) by 22:00 and 8 000 ha (19 770 acres) overnight.

By the morning of August 6, the affected area had reached 11 000 ha (27 180 acres) and continued growing to 13 000 ha (32 123 acres), making it the largest wildfire in France so far in 2025.

The fire destroyed or damaged at least 25 houses and 30 vehicles across about 15 communes, including Ribaute, Saint‑Laurent‑de‑la‑Cabrerisse, Tournissan, Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Coustouge, and Roquefort‑des‑Corbières.

Between 2 500 and 5 000 households were left without electricity as strong winds and advancing flames damaged transmission lines across the Aude department.

Authorities closed sections of the A9 and A61 autoroutes, including key exits near Narbonne and Lézignan, as well as several departmental roads, to protect motorists and facilitate the movement of firefighting units.

One woman died after refusing to evacuate her home in Saint‑Laurent‑de‑la‑Cabrerisse, where the wildfire advanced rapidly through surrounding vegetation. Two other civilians sustained injuries; one of them is in critical condition with severe burns, according to emergency services.

Seven firefighters were also injured, two requiring hospitalization, while one person remained missing as of Wednesday morning.

The firefighting operation involved about 1 800 personnel, supported by nine Canadair aircraft, five Dash water bombers, and two helicopters.

Fire spread was driven by tramontane winds gusting to 60–70 km/h (37–43 mph), temperatures above 32°C (90°F), and relative humidity below 25%. The Aude prefecture noted the Corbières area is among the driest in the department, with extensive drought affecting vegetation.

President Emmanuel Macron announced that all available national resources were mobilized to combat the fire. Civil Security described the blaze as advancing at about 5 km/h (3 mph) and confirmed it was the most significant wildfire of the French summer season.

Météo‑France had issued a red fire‑risk warning for the region before the outbreak.

The Aude wildfire follows earlier large fires in southern France in July 2025, which also destroyed homes and forced evacuations in the departments of Bouches‑du‑Rhône, Gard, and Hérault.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 227 000 ha (560 900 acres) have burned across Europe so far in 2025, more than double the long‑term average, with southern France experiencing conditions conducive to rapid, large‑scale fires.

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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