Southern France Wildfire Forces Evacuations, Destroys Homes

Thick plumes of smoke engulfed southern France's Aude region on Tuesday as a rapidly spreading wildfire consumed forests and residential areas, marking what officials call the country's most devastating blaze in over seven decades. Over 500 residents and tourists were evacuated as flames destroyed dozens of homes near Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular with cultural explorers.

Local authorities reported that over 1,000 firefighters supported by water-dropping helicopters are battling the inferno, which ignited during a record-breaking heatwave. 'This fire is behaving like nothing we've seen before,' said emergency coordinator Marc Chaussée during a press briefing. 'Drought conditions have turned Mediterranean vegetation into tinder.'

The wildfire's economic impact extends beyond immediate property damage, with regional vineyards and tourism operators bracing for losses. Climate researchers highlight the event as part of a worrying trend of intensified fire seasons across Southern Europe.

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Live: Smoke rises over wildfire in southern France, residents flee

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