Firefighters work to extinguish France’s worst wildfire in decades

Firefighting operations continued on Saturday in south-western France to ensure that the largest wildfire the country has experienced in decades does not flare up again, a fire brigade spokesman said.

The operation will continue at least until Sunday evening, he said.

Some 1,500 firefighters are still deployed in the Aude region.

The fire erupted in Ribaute, between Carcassonne and Narbonne, on Tuesday afternoon, spreading rapidly to ravage more than 16,000 hectares amid dry and windy conditions.

The fire, which has destroyed the largest area since a wildfire in 1949, was reported to be under control on Thursday evening.

People in 16 municipalities were affected, with many forced to evacuate and some homes lost to the flames.

One woman died as a result and five members of the public were injured, along with 19 fire officers.

While roads have reopened, woodland in the region remains closed.