Wildfires in southwest France have raised concerns about the safety of the Tour de France's third stage, which is set to finish in Les Angles, 60 kilometres from the blaze.Race director Christian Prudhomme has indicated the route could be adapted if necessary.

The fire, which has scorched over 1,500 hectares, is part of a broader trend of extreme heat and wildfires across Europe, with similar issues affecting Spain's Catalonia region.

Authorities have deployed 750 firefighters, 200 vehicles, and nine water-bombing helicopters to contain the fire in the Pyrenees-Orientales department.While no deaths have occurred, two individuals—a firefighter and a resident—are in critical condition.Firefighters aim to prevent the fire from spreading south towards the Tet river and the arid Aspres mountainous region.Seven French departments are classified as having a 'very high fire risk' by Meteo France.In Spain, a wildfire in Les Gavarres has been stabilised but remains a concern due to high temperatures and smoke.The incident in Catalonia is suspected to have been caused by a worker using a circular saw, leading to sparks that ignited the blaze.The suspect was arrested on Friday.These events highlight the growing challenges posed by climate-related disasters to major sporting events and emergency response efforts.