Tour de France’s Third Stage Closed as Wildfires Sweep Southern Europe
A rapidly spreading forest fire in the French Pyrenees prompted French authorities to prohibit public access to the third stage of the Tour de France, scheduled to run on Monday. The decision, announced on Sunday, was taken to protect spectators and participants from the heightened risk posed by the blaze that continues to burn across the region.
The fire, described by officials as “raging,” has forced mass evacuations in several towns throughout southern Europe. Local emergency services reported that thousands of residents were compelled to leave their homes as flames advanced, underscoring the severity of the situation beyond the immediate race corridor.
Organisers of the Tour de France confirmed that the route will remain unchanged, but the usual crowds that line the mountain passes will be absent.
The closure affects a segment of the race that traverses the Pyrenean foothills, an area known for its steep climbs and dramatic scenery. While the riders will still compete, the lack of on‑site supporters marks a rare deviation from the event’s tradition of massive public turnout, especially in the mountainous stages that typically draw large numbers of fans.
Emergency crews from the French civil protection agency have been battling the blaze since it was first detected, deploying aerial water drops and ground teams to contain the fire. The exact cause of the fire has not been disclosed, but officials warned that dry conditions and high temperatures have amplified the risk of wildfires throughout the summer months.
In addition to the French response, neighboring countries in southern Europe reported similar wildfire activity, prompting coordinated evacuation orders and the mobilisation of firefighting resources across borders. The scale of the evacuations, described as involving “thousands” of people, highlights the broader regional impact of the heatwave that has gripped the continent.
