French wildfire tamed but still raging

South France Wildfire Holds 1,400 Firefighters on Alert

Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse – The Mediterranean coast’s most destructive blaze in 50 years met a containment milestone today, but experts warn it will not be subjugated before Sunday evening.

Containment Milestone

• Chief of the region’s firefighting unit, Christophe Magny, declared the fire “contained” yet “uncontrolled” until Sunday’s twilight.
• Approximately 1,400 firefighters remain on high‑alert standby, bolstered by Saturday’s hot, dry winds forecasted to mimic those that ignited the conflagration.

Evacuation and Return

• About 2,000 residents were evacuated early this week; local authorities permitted safe return on Friday dusk.
• Authorities revised the blaze’s footprint from 17,000 to 16,000 hectares of vegetation.

Fatalities and Property Damage

• In the village of Saint‑Laurent, a 65‑year‑old woman perished Wednesday amid the flames.
• One civilian sustained serious burns; four others sustained minor injuries.
• Firefighters were injured 19 times, including a head trauma.

Future Threats

European climate experts caution that escalating summer heatwaves—tied to global warming—render nations increasingly susceptible to such disasters.