PARIS, France, July 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Some 40,000 people have been 
evacuated in southwestern France due to a wildfire that has ravaged more than 
10,000 hectares (25,000 acres), Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told AFP, 
calling the blaze "the largest fire of the season".

"As I speak, gradually, 40,000 people have either been evacuated or are 
currently being evacuated," he added, stressing that there have been no 
reported casualties so far. "A total of 80 homes have burnt, around 50 of 
which have been completely destroyed."