Big wildfires hit southern France

A large wildfire raged in southern France on Wednesday, forcing scores of people to be evacuated, emergency services said. Hundreds of firefighters mobilized to battle the blaze in the Herault and Aude departments, fueled by drought and strong winds.

Conditions on the ground were difficult for firefighters, with no access routes in the hilly terrain so that water-dumping aircraft were being used. Officials said that about 200 people were evacuated or confined in the communes of Pouzols‑Minervois and Mailhac.