On April 15, a wildfire broke out in the area of Cap Peyrefite, located in the northern Cerbère region of the Pyrénées-Orientales Department in southeastern France, near the border with Spain. The Interdepartmental Crisis Management Operational Centre (COGIC) reported that the fire has already burned an estimated area of 930 hectares in France and 120 hectares in Spain as of April 16.

The wildfire has forced the evacuation of around 300 people, who have been accommodated in temporary centers across the Cap Peyrefite area and Cerbère Town, according to COGIC. Additionally, two houses have been damaged, and up to 1,200 power outages have been reported in the affected area.

In response to the wildfire, four firefighting aircraft, including Canadairs, and two other aerial means were deployed, conducting a total of 26 drops. A total of 593 firefighters have been mobilized to battle the blaze. As of April 16, COGIC has reported that the fire has been declared under control.

However, the situation remains precarious as the JRC European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) forecasts a high to very high fire danger across the Pyrénées-Orientales Department for the next 24 hours. Efforts to contain and extinguish the fire are ongoing, with authorities urging caution and vigilance in the affected areas.

The wildfire in Cap Peyrefite has caused significant disruption and damage, and local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Residents and tourists in the region are advised to stay informed of the latest updates and follow instructions from local authorities to ensure their safety during this critical situation.