France is grappling with its largest wildfire since 1949 after a blaze erupted on August 5 in the Corbières hills near the Spanish border. According to Reuters, the inferno has scorched 16,000 hectares of land, destroyed at least 25 homes, and forced evacuations across the region.
The fire began in the village of Ribaute, in the Aude department, and spread rapidly across the dry, rural landscape known for its vineyards and medieval towns. A woman died inside her home, and nine others were injured, including a critically burned victim and several firefighters.
Despite a decline in intensity, the fire remains active and is being closely monitored, with hundreds of firefighters working to contain it. Officials reported on August 7 that conditions remain challenging, though containment efforts are making progress.
The intensity and destruction of wildfires around the world have grown exponentially in recent years. Each year brings even more devastating disasters, setting terrible new records across many countries. Click through the following gallery to learn more about some of the most catastrophic fires in recent history.