Wildfire forces evacuations in southern France as drought fuels flames

A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Lozere region of southern France on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of two hamlets and mobilising more than 220 firefighters. The blaze broke out around 12:45pm local time roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Montpellier, with officials suspecting a vehicle fire on a local road as the cause.

By late afternoon the fire had consumed about 90 hectares (220 acres) of woodland and showed no sign of slowing. Crews from Lozere and neighbouring departments were backed by four Canadair water bombers and a Dash aircraft, with additional reinforcements en route. A road between La Tieule and Le Recoux was closed as a precaution.

Drought creates tinderbox conditions

The speed of the fire reflects exceptionally dry weather that has gripped the area for months. "This is an area with a great deal of woodland. It's extremely dry. The drought is unlike anything we've seen in a long time," said Marc Toulouse, a senior fire officer in Lozere. Local authorities urged residents not to call emergency lines to report the blaze, warning that the volume of calls could overwhelm operators already coordinating the response.

Containment efforts continue

Fire services said the situation remained out of control as night fell. Around 20 homes in the municipality of La Tieule were emptied at roughly 5:00pm, with residents directed to temporary shelters. Crews plan to work through the night, taking advantage of lower temperatures and higher humidity to build containment lines.

Weather forecasts for the coming days will determine whether the operation can shift from defence to full suppression. For now, the priority remains protecting life and property while the aerial fleet targets the most active flanks.