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France's Giant Fire Evacuates 220,000, Creates First Pyrocloud

7/29/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the blaze, four times Paris in size, caused France's largest evacuation of 220,000 people.
The fire produced France's first pyrocumulonimbus cloud, a 33-35 °C heat warning, 23 aircraft, 103 km of firebreaks and 110 firefighter injuries.
Spain lifted evacuation orders for about 20,000 of 79,000 people in ten towns, while a record fire in Ávila burned over 500 sq km and killed at least 13.

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Story summary

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the blaze, four times Paris in size, caused France's largest evacuation of 220,000 people.
The fire produced France's first pyrocumulonimbus cloud, a 33-35 °C heat warning, 23 aircraft, 103 km of firebreaks and 110 firefighter injuries.
Spain lifted evacuation orders for about 20,000 of 79,000 people in ten towns, while a record fire in Ávila burned over 500 sq km and killed at least 13.