Nine minor injuries, including a child, in a fire near Perpignan

A forest fire erupted near the coastal town of Canet-en-Roussillon, close to Perpignan in southern France, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The blaze spread rapidly through several campsites, resulting in nine minor injuries, including one child. The adverse weather conditions, characterized by strong winds and high temperatures, significantly contributed to the fire's rapid progression.

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Under conditions météorologiques défavorables (fort tramontana et hautes températures), le feu s'est propagé aux campings Le Brasilia et Le Marina, ainsi qu'à la zone de Catana, à Canet-en-Roussillon.

Authorities reported that the fire, which began shortly before 2 p.m. local time near the Le Sainte-Marie campsite, quickly engulfed Le Brasilia and Le Marina campsites, as well as the Catana business park. The Prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales stated that an estimated 30 hectares were burned by 6 p.m. local time. The administrative building of Catana was affected, and an industrial building remained under threat as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

In response to the escalating situation, approximately 3,000 people were evacuated from the affected zones. This included residents from the Le Sainte-Marie, Le Marina, and Le Brasilia campsites, totaling 1,700 individuals, ten of whom had reduced mobility. Evacuations also extended to the beach and all personnel from the Catana company. Emergency services, including state representatives, departmental councils, municipalities, and civil protection associations, were mobilized to support the displaced population in reception centers.

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À 18h00 heure locale (16h00 GMT), la superficie brûlée est estimée à 30 hectares. Dans l'entreprise Catana, son bâtiment administratif a été touché et un bâtiment industriel est menacé. Les pompiers défendent actuellement le site.

The fire also caused temporary disruptions to commercial air traffic at Perpignan airport, with three flights canceled or diverted. The incident occurred amidst other active fires along France's Mediterranean coast, including a larger blaze in the Oupia mountains that had consumed about 900 hectares. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that 7,000 fires had been declared across France since the start of the season, burning 8,700 hectares.

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Tous les services (État, conseil départemental, communes et associations agréées de protection civile) sont pleinement mobilisés pour accompagner la population dans ces centres d'accueil.