Wildfire in the Eastern Pyrenees puts Tour de France stage from Granollers at risk

Authorities are assessing whether safety conditions allow for the third stage of the cycling race to proceed.

Generic image of an empty train station.
IA

Generic image of an empty train station.

The third stage of the Tour de France, scheduled for this Monday starting from Granollers, is currently under review due to a large forest fire in the Eastern Pyrenees.

The fire, burning out of control in the Northern Catalonia region, has forced authorities to evaluate the feasibility of the sporting event. Although the town of Granollers is located at a significant distance from the main fire front, security teams are analyzing whether current conditions allow for the cycling stage, which is set to cover 195.9 kilometers to Les Angles, to take place.
The flames have spread rapidly across the communes of Trevilhac, Montalbà de la Frontera, Rodés, and Tarrerac, affecting over 1,500 hectares. High temperatures and strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts, involving nearly 700 firefighters supported by the gendarmerie.
While no general evacuation has been ordered, mayors of affected areas have been asked to gather residents from isolated farmhouses in safe locations. Emergency accommodation centers have also been set up in Illa and Vinçà to assist those affected and emergency personnel.