A massive wildfire has been raging in the Aude department of southern France since August 5, 2025, becoming the largest fire of the summer and the most extensive in the country in at least 20 years. The blaze has consumed over 16,000 hectares of vegetation across 15 communes, including the Corbières massif. It has destroyed or damaged 25 homes and 35 vehicles, and caused the loss of approximately 600 hectares of vineyards. The fire has resulted in one confirmed death, a woman in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, and at least nine injured firefighters, one critically. Additionally, three people are reported missing. The fire has forced the closure of the A9 motorway connecting France and Spain, which has since reopened. More than 2,100 firefighters, supported by nine Canadair water bombers and several Dash aircraft, are engaged in firefighting efforts. Authorities describe the situation as difficult with the fire spreading rapidly and encircling villages, threatening numerous homes. The mayor of Tournissan and other local officials have reported significant damage and evacuation efforts. The French government has deployed a substantial emergency response, with Prime Minister François Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau visiting the affected area. Bayrou described the event as a "catastrophe of unprecedented scale" and linked the severity of the fire to climate change. The fire's progression has slowed somewhat due to cooler nighttime temperatures and changing wind conditions, but it remains active and not yet contained. Emergency shelters have been established for displaced residents, and investigations are ongoing, including the use of dogs trained to detect accelerants. The wildfire has drawn international attention as firefighters continue battling what is described as the largest wildfire in France in nearly eight decades.