Wildfires devastate vineyards in southern France as heat and drought fuel rapid spread

Wildfires have struck the Aude region in southern France, causing significant damage to vineyards in the Corbières area. The first major fire began Saturday afternoon along the A61 highway, following several days of intense heat and drought. According to local authorities, a car caught fire on the roadside, igniting nearby vegetation and quickly spreading through the dry landscape.

Nearly 500 firefighters were deployed at the height of the blaze, supported by water-bombing planes and helicopters. Despite their efforts, the flames advanced rapidly, driven by strong winds known locally as the Cers. The fire reached several vineyards, including Château La Baronne, a well-known estate owned by the Lignères family for five generations.

The team at Château La Baronne shared their experience on social media after the fire was contained. They described a scene of devastation: silence, the smell of ashes, and deep sadness. The family explained that it took only minutes for the fire to climb from the highway into their “sacred mountain,” Alaric. Columns of smoke were visible for miles around as flames eventually surrounded the estate. The combination of wind, heat, and drought made it impossible to stop the fire from reaching their vines.

The Lignères family reported that between 30 and 35 hectares of vineyard were either destroyed or severely damaged. Many of these vines were old and had survived previous years of drought. This year’s crop had looked promising after autumn rains, but hopes for a good harvest have now been dashed. The family described the loss as a disaster and said they are still coming to terms with what happened.

As emergency crews continued to monitor hot spots in Corbières, another wildfire broke out Monday afternoon near Narbonne, also in the Aude region. This second fire reportedly started near Domaine Saint-Julien-de-Septime, possibly caused by a cigarette thrown from a car. By Tuesday morning, it had burned through 2,000 hectares of land and required more than 1,000 firefighters and extensive aerial support to contain.

The A9 highway was closed for several hours after flames jumped across traffic lanes. Local officials reported that five firefighters suffered minor injuries during operations. Five civilians were also treated for smoke inhalation or other minor issues, including one child.

These fires come at the start of summer in southern France, where high temperatures and dry conditions have increased wildfire risks. Local wine producers now face uncertainty about this year’s harvest and long-term recovery from the damage caused by these early-season blazes.