French authorities have successfully contained a devastating wildfire that swept through the Aude region in southern France, scorching nearly 16,000 to 17,000 hectares (about 40,000 acres) of land an area more than one and a half times the size of Paris.

The blaze, now being described as France’s largest wildfire since 1949, forced the evacuation of over 2,000 residents and tourists, destroyed 36 homes, and damaged at least 20 more. Authorities confirmed the death of one woman who ignored evacuation orders, while 18 people were injured, including 16 firefighters involved in the response.

At the peak of the crisis, 5,000 households were left without power. By Thursday evening, approximately 1,500 homes remained without electricity. Emergency crews continue to monitor the region for potential flare-ups, with many roads still closed and damaged infrastructure posing ongoing risks.

Local officials have attributed the scale and intensity of the fire to climate change, citing prolonged drought conditions and highly flammable vegetation as key contributing factors.

Although the fire has been brought under control, the recovery effort is expected to take weeks. Firefighters remain on site to secure the perimeter and assist affected communities.