Burned trees are pictured during one of the largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France, on Aug.8, 2025. Manu Fernandez/AP Photo
PARIS—About 1,400 firefighters were deployed Saturday in France’s southern Aude region to prevent the country’s largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as all residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Aude prefect Christian Pouget said the fire has been contained since Thursday after burning this week more than 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) in the wooded region, known for its wineries. All roads have been reopened but authorities issued a strict ban on accessing the forest, Pouget said at a news conference on Saturday.
