Tour de France fans urged to stay away because of wildfires
The Tour de France will continue its third stage on Monday from Spain into southern France despite active wildfires threatening the region. Race organizers have instructed spectators to avoid the final 40 kilometres of the route and the finish area, which lies within 60 kilometres of significant fire activity in the Pyrenees-Orientales region, though the race course itself remains unaltered. Race director Christian Prudhomme characterised the situation as requiring exceptional measures to balance public safety with event continuation.
The wildfire incident reflects Europe's ongoing struggle with extreme heat and record temperatures recorded in June. Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated after a fire ignited near Perpignan on Thursday, and aircraft have been deployed to battle the blaze. Officials have also closed a key mountain pass section that would normally provide access to the race, underscoring the severity of the fire containment effort.
- Tour de France stage 3 proceeding Monday despite major wildfires in southern France near the finish area
- Organizers bar spectators from final 40km of route and finish area; record European heatwave and 3,000 evacuations in context