France Wildfires Force Evacuations | France News

France News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 18, 2026 · 1m

Wildfires rage across France’s Pyrénées-Orientales, devouring over 4,900 hectares as residents begin to return—thanks to improving conditions. But with heatwave alerts now covering 72 departments, fire risks soar, forcing cancellations of Bastille Day fireworks. A British couple’s harrowing evacuation—with 13 cats and a dog—highlighted the chaos, ending up with their vet as temporary sanctuary. Experts warn that 90% of destroyed homes weren’t cleared of brush, underscoring the legal requirement to reduce fuel. Authorities urge everyone to act: no cigarette butts, no forest barbecues, no dry…