In southeastern France, the largest fire has been recorded over the past 75 years. It began on August 5 near the city of Ribo and in four days destroyed about 17 thousand hectares of forest and farmland – the area is larger than that of Paris.
According to the media, at a peak, fire burned up to 1 thousand hectares per hour, intensified by a strong wind from the Mediterranean Sea. After two days, 16 thousand hectares were injured. One person died, another 13 were injured. The fire covered several villages in the winery.
Pléiades Neo satellites recorded the scale of the disaster: charred lands, active fires and thick puffs of smoke are visible in the pictures. The planes that drop water also got into the frame. The fire was also observed by the NASA Terra and Landsat 9 satellites, which showed its rapid growth and fresh scorched territories hidden under smoke.
By the evening of August 7, the fire was mainly localized, however, according to the authorities, it will take several days to completely extinguish all the foci.
French officials associate the tragedy with climate change.
