Widespread Fires Rage in France, Spain

(MENAFN) A deadly wildfire continues to sweep across the southern region of France’s Aude department, marking what officials have described as the "biggest fire of the summer".

The blaze, which began on Tuesday, has already resulted in one fatality and left nine others injured, according to an official update issued on Wednesday.

Authorities confirmed that a woman was discovered deceased in her residence.

Additionally, two local residents and seven emergency responders sustained injuries, as detailed by the prefect of Aude.

With the flames still out of control, one individual has also been reported as missing.

According to the official account, "A fire broke out on August 5 at around 4:15 p.m. (1415 GMT) in the commune of Ribaute."

The inferno is described as "spreading very rapidly" and has already devoured around 11,100 hectares (27,000 acres) spanning across 15 different communes.

To tackle the rapidly advancing flames, extensive emergency support has been dispatched. "Massive resources have been deployed. 1,500 firefighters worked through the night at the scene, and an additional 320 firefighters are being sent in," the statement emphasized.

A weather service issued a warning on Tuesday, forecasting an escalation in temperatures by Thursday, particularly in the southern parts of the country, with heat levels expected to exceed the usual seasonal averages.

Simultaneously, wildfires have also erupted in neighboring Spain.

The southern city of Cadiz has been battling a major blaze since Tuesday, which has compelled the evacuation of over 5,000 vehicles and a considerable number of residents, as reported by a public broadcaster.

Further north, another wildfire ignited on Tuesday in the city of A Coruna.

Due to its closeness to residential zones, authorities classified the incident at emergency level 2. So far, it has impacted at least 20 hectares (approximately 50 acres).

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