A fast-moving wildfire in the Pyrénées-Orientales department near Perpignan has forced the evacuation of roughly 12,000 people from about 20 communities, with nearly 5,000 hectares scorched and 46 structures affected. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said six people have been detained on suspicion of involvement in igniting the fires, and warned that strong winds could worsen conditions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU would dispatch four firefighting aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden to assist French crews. Tour de France spectators were urged to avoid Monday's third-stage finish to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Separate blazes have erupted across southern France, including a 2,000-hectare fire near Die in the Drôme and a fire that briefly cut the main Ajaccio–Bastia highway in Corsica. In Spain, a blaze in the Les Gavarres reserve destroyed over 2,200 hectares, and the highest heat-alert level has been declared in parts of the country.