France is grappling with what authorities have described as a “catastrophe of unprecedented scale” after a wildfire ripped through the Corbieres hills in the Aude region, scorching over 16,000 hectares, an area larger than the city of Paris.

The blaze, fanned by intense winds, extreme heat, and months of drought, has left thousands of people displaced, at least 25 homes destroyed, and one woman dead.

Emergency services have confirmed that the victim was an elderly resident who declined evacuation orders.

Meanwhile, 13 people, including 11 firefighters, have sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Three individuals are also reported to be missing.

Entire villages, including Jonquieres, where up to 80% of the area is reportedly destroyed, have been evacuated as the fire continues to spread.

Evacuees, including residents and tourists, are currently being housed in municipal buildings and local community centers. Multiple campsites and hotels have also been cleared in response to the growing danger.

Over 2,100 firefighters, supported by aerial water bombers and reinforced by the military, are battling the flames around the clock. Despite their efforts, containment has been challenging due to dry vegetation and unpredictable winds.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who toured the affected region, linked the severity of the fire to climate change and stressed the need for long-term environmental policy shifts. “This is no longer a seasonal emergency,” he said. “It is a national crisis shaped by a warming planet.”

This wildfire marks the largest in France’s modern history since official records began in 2006, and the most land lost to fire in a single event since 1949.

As firefighting efforts intensify, authorities continue to urge residents in at-risk zones to remain alert and comply with evacuation orders.